Prisons around the world vary widely in conditions and treatment of inmates.
While some strive to rehabilitate offenders in humane and supportive environments, others are notorious for their inhumane conditions, rampant violence, and severe lack of basic necessities.
These institutions often reflect broader societal issues, such as corruption, inadequate funding, and systemic neglect, resulting in appalling conditions that exacerbate the suffering of those incarcerated.
In many of these prisons, inmates face daily challenges that include overcrowding, unsanitary facilities, inadequate medical care, and brutal treatment from guards and fellow prisoners alike.
This article will discuss twenty of the worst prisons in the world, highlighting the harsh realities faced by those incarcerated within their walls.
From the psychological torment of solitary confinement to the physical brutality of forced labour camps, each of these prisons exemplifies the extreme conditions that can exist in the global penal system.
By shedding light on these dire situations, we aim to raise awareness about the urgent need for reform and the importance of upholding human rights.
20. HM Prison Belmarsh, UK
HM Prison Belmarsh, located in London, UK, is known for its high-security measures and housing some of the country’s most dangerous offenders, including terrorists and violent criminals.
Despite being one of the most secure prisons, it is notorious for harsh conditions that have earned it a spot among the world’s worst prisons.
Inmates frequently report overcrowding, which exacerbates tensions and increases the likelihood of violence among prisoners.
The prison has also faced criticism for inadequate medical care, leading to untreated physical and mental health issues among inmates.
High-profile cases and frequent lockdowns contribute to a tense environment, with limited opportunities for rehabilitation and personal growth.
Reports of self-harm and suicide are alarmingly high, reflecting the severe psychological toll on inmates.
Belmarsh’s reputation for brutal conditions, lack of proper healthcare, and high levels of violence make it one of the most notorious prisons globally.
19. Penitentiary of New Mexico, USA
The Penitentiary of New Mexico, located near Santa Fe, USA, is infamous for its violent history and harsh conditions.
It gained worldwide notoriety due to the 1980 prison riot, one of the deadliest in American history, where 33 inmates were brutally killed, and the facility was extensively damaged.
The prison is known for severe overcrowding, leading to tension and frequent violence among inmates.
The Penitentiary of New Mexico has faced criticism for its use of solitary confinement, where inmates are often kept in isolation for 23 hours a day, leading to severe mental health issues.
Reports of inadequate medical care, poor living conditions, and limited access to rehabilitative programs further tarnish its reputation.
The combination of its violent past, ongoing safety concerns, and failure to provide humane conditions contribute to its status as one of the worst prisons in the world.
18. Mumbai Central Jail, India
Mumbai Central Jail, also known as Arthur Road Jail, is one of India’s oldest and most notorious prisons.
Overcrowding is a significant issue, with the facility often housing more than double its capacity.
This severe overcrowding leads to unsanitary conditions, insufficient food, and inadequate medical care, exacerbating health problems among inmates.
The prison is infamous for its brutal treatment of prisoners, with frequent reports of violence, both among inmates and from prison guards.
Corruption is rampant, affecting everything from the distribution of basic necessities to the handling of inmate grievances.
The lack of rehabilitative programs means that prisoners have little opportunity for personal growth or reform.
The combination of extreme overcrowding, poor living conditions, violent treatment, and systemic corruption makes Mumbai Central Jail one of the worst prisons in the world.
17. La Santé Prison, France
La Santé Prison, located in Paris, France, is notorious for its appalling conditions and harsh treatment of inmates.
Despite being one of France’s most well-known prisons, it has gained a reputation for severe overcrowding, leading to deplorable living conditions.
Cells are often cramped and poorly maintained, contributing to an environment rife with disease and discomfort.
Inmates at La Santé Prison have reported a high incidence of violence, both from fellow prisoners and guards.
The prison is also known for its use of prolonged solitary confinement, which can have devastating effects on mental health.
There are significant issues with access to medical care and basic necessities, exacerbating the suffering of those incarcerated.
The combination of overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions, violence, and inadequate medical care has led to La Santé Prison being considered one of the worst prisons in the world, highlighting the urgent need for reform within the French penal system.
16. Red Onion State Prison, USA
Red Onion State Prison, located in Virginia, USA, is infamous for its harsh conditions and strict solitary confinement practices.
This supermax prison primarily houses inmates deemed highly dangerous, leading to a focus on maximum security over rehabilitation.
Many prisoners spend up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement, a practice known to cause severe psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and hallucinations.
Reports of excessive force by guards, including physical and psychological abuse, are common.
Inmates often experience inadequate medical care and poor living conditions, with limited access to educational or rehabilitative programs.
The extreme isolation and harsh treatment have sparked significant human rights concerns.
Red Onion’s emphasis on security over humane treatment and rehabilitation, combined with reports of mistreatment and the extensive use of solitary confinement, make it one of the most notorious and criticised prisons in the world.
15. Vladimir Central Prison, Russia
Vladimir Central Prison, located in Russia, is notorious for its brutal conditions and harsh treatment of inmates.
Established in the 18th century, it has a long history of housing political prisoners and high-risk offenders.
The prison is known for severe overcrowding, leading to cramped and unsanitary living conditions that contribute to widespread health issues among inmates.
Reports of physical abuse and torture by guards are common, creating a climate of fear and violence.
Prisoners often face inadequate medical care, with limited access to necessary treatments and medicines.
The lack of rehabilitative programs and the overall bleak environment further exacerbate the suffering of those incarcerated.
The combination of historical infamy, ongoing human rights abuses, severe overcrowding, and inadequate healthcare has cemented Vladimir Central Prison’s reputation as one of the worst prisons in the world.
Its conditions starkly highlight the urgent need for reform in the Russian penal system.
14. La Modelo, Columbia
La Modelo, located in Bogotá, Colombia, is notorious for its extreme violence and deplorable living conditions.
This prison is infamous for being controlled by armed gangs, leading to frequent violent clashes between rival groups.
The presence of firearms and other weapons within the prison walls further exacerbates the danger for inmates.
Severe overcrowding is a significant issue, with the facility often housing several times its intended capacity.
This overcrowding leads to unsanitary conditions, insufficient food, and inadequate medical care, which contribute to widespread health problems.
Corruption among prison staff is rampant, allowing gang activities to flourish and worsening the overall environment.
The combination of extreme violence, overcrowding, poor living conditions, and corruption makes La Modelo one of the worst prisons in the world.
13. Black Dolphin Prison, Russia
Black Dolphin Prison, located near the Kazakhstan border in Russia, is infamous for its harsh conditions and stringent security measures.
Known for housing the country’s most dangerous criminals, including serial killers and terrorists, the prison operates under an extremely strict regime.
Inmates are kept under constant surveillance and are often blindfolded when moved within the facility to prevent escape attempts.
Prisoners at Black Dolphin are subjected to severe isolation, spending most of their time in small cells with minimal human contact.
Reports of physical abuse and psychological torture by guards are common, contributing to the oppressive atmosphere.
The lack of rehabilitative programs and the harsh daily routines exacerbate the suffering of inmates.
The extreme security measures, combined with reports of mistreatment and the isolating conditions, make Black Dolphin Prison one of the most feared prisons in the world.
12. Black Beach Prison, Equatorial Guinea
Black Beach Central Prison, located in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, is notorious for its harsh conditions and widespread human rights abuses.
The prison is known for severe overcrowding, with inmates packed into poorly ventilated cells that lack basic amenities.
Sanitary conditions are deplorable, leading to the spread of diseases among prisoners.
Reports of torture, physical abuse, and mistreatment by guards are common, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Inmates often face arbitrary detention without trial, with prolonged periods of isolation and limited access to legal representation.
The lack of transparency and accountability within the prison system exacerbates these issues.
11. Mendoza Prison, Argentina
Mendoza Prison, located in Mendoza, Argentina, is infamous for its dire living conditions and rampant violence.
The facility suffers from severe overcrowding, with inmates crammed into cells designed for far fewer people.
This overcrowding leads to unsanitary conditions, inadequate access to healthcare, and insufficient food supplies, exacerbating health problems among prisoners.
Violence among inmates is widespread, with frequent gang-related conflicts and physical confrontations.
Reports of extortion, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities within the prison further contribute to the dangerous environment.
Corruption among prison staff is also a significant issue, allowing illegal activities to thrive unchecked.
The lack of effective rehabilitation programs and the harsh living conditions make Mendoza Prison one of the worst in the world.
10. ADX Florence, USA
ADX Florence, located in Colorado, USA, is renowned for its stringent security measures and harsh conditions.
It houses some of the most dangerous and high-profile criminals in the federal prison system, including terrorists and organised crime leaders.
The facility is designed to minimise inmate contact with others, with prisoners spending up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement.
Inmates at ADX Florence face extreme isolation, restricted communication, and limited access to recreational activities or educational programs.
The harsh environment and prolonged solitary confinement have been criticised for their detrimental effects on mental health, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among prisoners.
Its conditions have sparked significant human rights concerns and calls for reform within the US federal prison system.
9. Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya
Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, located near Nairobi, Kenya, is notorious for its appalling living conditions and severe overcrowding.
Originally built to hold 1,400 inmates, the prison frequently houses over 3,000, leading to cramped and unsanitary conditions.
Inmates often lack access to adequate food, clean water, and medical care, resulting in widespread malnutrition and disease.
Reports of physical abuse and torture by prison guards are common, creating an atmosphere of fear and oppression.
The lack of basic amenities and the prevalence of violence among inmates exacerbate the harsh environment.
Corruption within the prison system further compounds these issues, with reports of bribery and extortion being widespread.
The dire conditions, rampant human rights abuses, and severe overcrowding make Kamiti Maximum Security Prison one of the worst prisons in the world.
8. Bang Kwang Central Prison, Thailand
Bang Kwang Central Prison, located in Nonthaburi, Thailand, is notoriously known as the “Bangkok Hilton” but offers none of the comforts its nickname suggests.
The prison is infamous for its severe overcrowding, with inmates often packed into small, cramped cells.
Basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care are insufficient, leading to poor health conditions among prisoners.
The harsh treatment of inmates is a significant concern, with reports of physical abuse and torture by prison guards.
Inmates often face long periods of shackling, sometimes for years, causing severe physical and psychological distress. The facility also houses death row inmates, adding to the already oppressive environment.
7. Gldani Prison, Georgia
Gldani Prison, located in Tbilisi, Georgia, is infamous for its severe human rights violations and brutal treatment of inmates.
The prison gained international notoriety in 2012 when videos surfaced showing guards torturing, beating, and sexually assaulting prisoners.
These revelations highlighted systemic abuse and a culture of violence within the facility.
In addition to the abuse, Gldani Prison suffers from severe overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions.
Inmates are often crammed into small cells, lacking access to adequate food, clean water, and medical care.
These conditions lead to widespread health problems and exacerbate the suffering of prisoners.
The exposure of these abuses prompted public outrage and demands for reform.
However, the legacy of violence and inhumane treatment continues to tarnish Gldani Prison’s reputation.
6. Butyrka Prison, Russia
Butyrka Prison, located in Moscow, Russia, is one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in the country.
Known for its severe overcrowding, inmates are often forced to share small, cramped cells, leading to dire living conditions.
The lack of ventilation, poor sanitary facilities, and insufficient medical care contribute to frequent outbreaks of disease, including tuberculosis.
The prison is infamous for its harsh treatment of inmates.
Reports of physical abuse and torture by guards are common, creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and brutality.
The mental and physical health of prisoners deteriorates rapidly due to the oppressive environment and inadequate basic necessities.
Butyrka’s grim conditions, combined with the systemic abuse and neglect, make it one of the worst prisons in the world.
5. Camp 14, North Korea
Camp 14, located in North Korea, is one of the most notorious and brutal prison camps in the world.
Officially known as Kwan-li-so No. 14, it is a political prison camp where inmates, including entire families, are imprisoned for perceived political crimes.
The conditions are harrowing, with severe malnutrition, hard labour, and constant surveillance.
Prisoners endure gruelling work schedules, often in dangerous and exhausting conditions, with minimal food, leading to widespread starvation.
The lack of medical care exacerbates the dire living conditions, resulting in high mortality rates.
Physical abuse, torture, and public executions are common, creating a climate of fear and oppression.
The inhumane treatment, severe deprivation, and systemic brutality at Camp 14 highlight the extreme human rights violations occurring within North Korea’s prison camps.
4. Diyarbakır Prison, Turkey
Diyarbakır Prison, located in southeastern Turkey, is infamous for its brutal conditions and severe human rights violations.
Established in 1980, the prison gained notoriety during the 1980s and 1990s for its harsh treatment of political prisoners, especially those of Kurdish descent.
Inmates have reported extreme overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of medical care.
Torture, beatings, and other forms of physical abuse by guards were rampant, leading to severe psychological and physical trauma among prisoners.
Hunger strikes and protests were common as inmates sought to draw attention to their plight.
The prison’s legacy of torture and mistreatment has left a lasting scar on Turkish society, particularly within the Kurdish community.
Despite some reforms, Diyarbakır Prison remains a symbol of oppression and brutality.
3. Ciudad Barrios Prison, El Salvador
Ciudad Barrios Prison, located in El Salvador, is one of the most notorious and overcrowded prisons in the world.
Originally designed to hold a few hundred inmates, it now houses thousands, leading to extreme overcrowding and squalid conditions.
The prison is infamous for being controlled by gangs, with the MS-13 gang dominating the facility.
Inmates live in constant fear due to rampant violence, extortion, and brutal gang rivalries.
Basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care are scarce, leading to severe malnutrition and health issues.
The lack of adequate security and control by prison authorities means that the prison is essentially run by the inmates, exacerbating the violence and lawlessness.
Ciudad Barrios Prison’s dire conditions and unchecked violence highlight the severe challenges within El Salvador’s penal system.
2. Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, Cuba
Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, located in Cuba, is infamous worldwide for its controversial treatment of detainees and severe human rights violations.
Established by the United States in 2002, it was intended to hold and interrogate suspected terrorists outside the legal protections of U.S. law.
The camp is notorious for indefinite detention without trial, meaning many detainees have been held for years without charges.
Reports of harsh interrogation techniques, which many consider torture, include waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and extreme isolation.
These practices have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organisations and the international community.
The conditions and legal limbo faced by detainees at Guantanamo Bay highlight significant ethical and legal concerns.
The detention camp remains a contentious symbol of the broader issues related to the war on terror, raising critical questions about justice, human rights, and the rule of law in dealing with suspected terrorists.
1. Muhanga Correctional Facility, Rwanda
Muhanga Correctional Facility in Rwanda is notorious for its extreme overcrowding and poor living conditions.
Originally built to house a limited number of inmates, the facility now holds several times its intended capacity, resulting in severe overcrowding.
This has led to unsanitary conditions, inadequate access to medical care, and a lack of basic necessities such as food and clean water.
Prisoners are often crammed into small cells with little room to move, sleep, or maintain hygiene.
The facility has a high prevalence of diseases due to the cramped and unhygienic environment.
Additionally, the prison has faced criticism for its harsh treatment of inmates, including reports of physical abuse and inadequate attention to prisoners’ rights, making Muhanga Correctional Facility one of the worst prisons in the world.
Conclusion
That was 20 of the worst prisons in the world.
These twenty prisons highlight some of the worst conditions inmates can face worldwide. Overcrowding, violence, inadequate food, and medical care are common issues.
While efforts at reform exist, many prisons still operate under extremely harsh conditions.
The treatment of prisoners in these facilities remains a critical human rights issue.
Addressing these conditions is essential for creating a more just and humane world.
