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More and more people are being sent behind bars. According to the Institute for Criminal Policy Research, over 10.35 million individuals are being held in penal institutions throughout the world, either as pre-trial detainees/remand prisoners or having been convicted and sentenced.

In comparison to the year 2000, the total number of women serving time has increased by about 50% while the male prison population has grown by about 18%. But prison inmates rates vary considerably all around the globe. For instance, the United States has 698 inmates for every 100,000 citizens while Denmark has 61. And there are more differences, too. Inmates in one place might have access to musical instruments and video games but might be fighting over a roll of toilet paper in another.

Bored Panda has collected photos of prison cells from all over the world to show how different countries treat their criminals, and the contrast is eye-opening. The prison cells in this list vary from low security to max security, from famous prisons such as San Quentin and the Black Dolphin prison in Russia to lesser known ones, and while they can't be all compared directly, it gives us a pretty good sense of how different countries deal with criminals. It might be due to economic reasons or the way societies value life, but if you found the information above a bit grey, the images below will grab everyone's attention.

#1

Aranjuez Prison, Aranjuez, Spain

Aranjuez Prison, Aranjuez, Spain

Spain's Aranjuez Prison lets parents and children stay with their incarcerated family members. With Disney characters on the walls, a nursery, and a playground, the goal is to prevent kids from realizing, as long as possible, that a parent is behind bars

Associated Press , usatoday30 Report

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diane1atk avatar
diane a
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that's wonderful - the children and families have not comitted the crime

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#2

Luzira Prison, Kampala, Uganda

Luzira Prison, Kampala, Uganda

In Luzira, inmates are assigned more responsibility that would be in similar prisons in the United Kingdom or the USA. Inmates assume responsibility for maintenance of harmony and functionality of the units where they live, including the growing and harvesting of food, its preparation and its distribution within the prison. Learning is encouraged, with many men learning and teaching carpentry skills to others. The guard to prisoner ration in Luzira is about 1:35, compared to 1:15 in the UK. Aggression among inmates is the exception and not the rule. The recidivism rate in Luzira is less than 30 percent, compared with 46 percent in the UK and 76 percent in the United States

NTVUganda , Wikipedia Report

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BlackestDawn
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems they are doing the right thing here, focusing much more on rehabilitation than just straight up incarceration.

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#3

Bastøy Prison, Horten, Norway

Bastøy Prison, Horten, Norway

Bastøy prison is the largest low-security prison in Norway. The prison is located at Bastøy island in the Oslo Fiord, belonging to Horten municipality. The prison uses the whole island, but the northern part with the beach Nordbukta is defined as open to the public.

The prison is organized as a small local community with about 80 buildings, roads, beach zones, cultural landscape, football field, agricultural land and forest.

In addition to the prison functions, there is a shop, library, information office, health services, church, school, NAV (government social services), dock, ferry service (with its own shipping agency) and a lighthouse with facilities to let for smaller meetings and seminars. On Bastoy prison island, the prisoners, some of whom are murderers and rapists, live in conditions that critics brand 'cushy' and 'luxurious'. Yet it has by far the lowest reoffending rate in Europe

Marco Di Lauro , Bastøy prison Report

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Hans
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is easy to imagine these people moving back to society. Good for them (obvious), good for society (adding skill again, this time for right-doing), good for the state (prisons costs enormous amounts of money).

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The irony is that these prisons probably cost less than most of the high-security private prisons in the USA, but have far better rehabiitation rates. Norwegians aren't stupid - they know how to get best return for their incarceration dollars (or krone, as the case may be...).

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people criticise providing serious criminals with this "luxury", but the truth is that most crime is the consequence of a background - often a lifetime - of disadvantage, discrimination, and other disengagements from basic human rights. The reason that Norway has such a low recidivism rate is that they not only give the prisoners some dignity, but they actually do something to rehabilitate them so that when they've done their time they can successfully reintegrate and become prodictive and worthy members of society. People who criticise this are detached from the reality of the circumstanes of most of these criminals, and the irony is that they're likely only a few bad decisions/unlicky incidents from being these sorts of criminals themselves...

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Following on from my previous comment, there are the hard-core criminals who do Really Bad S**t. They might have what some people would call "luxury", but even these people show lower recidivism rates so the treatment is worth it, and the worst receive comensurate sentences. Foreigners can carp and bleat all they like, but Norway has one of the happiest, safest, and egalitarian societies in the world: they are living the sort of life that is referred to as "the American Dream", when for US Americans themselves this 'dream' of a Utopian society is completely unatainable for most of its citizens.

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The longer you remove people completely from any semblence of normal society the less chance therre will be of them being able to reintegrate successfully upon release

floorschappin avatar
Floor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think people are mistaking the impact of doing time. Sure it's not as pleasant to be in a maximum security prison in Miami as it is on this island. But you're still having to obey by the rules. Have other people decide where you go etc. And since they're going back to society anyways, you might as well help them become a productive citizen. I don't think anyone wants a criminal sit in a cell for years if that means he's just going to make more victims when he gets outso, all citizens have access to good healthcare/ welfare not just the criminals. Not saying they're is no poverty in Northern Europe but the gap is definitely not as big as it is in the US.

die_maya avatar
BieneMaya
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To the people who are complaining about the "luxury", please do some research! And poverty is a kind of prison of itself, which is unfortunately inherited through the families in most of the world. So please don't protest the "luxury" treatment for humans, feeding your envy, but fight for better distribution of wealth and better support forfamilies and

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Beth Elizabeth
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw a whole documentary about this place! It's still isolation from society, but it offers humanity, structure, job training and hope. Wonderful for those who would not be violent.

catmarshall57 avatar
BusLady
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This does sound cushy. We should all live in such a community. On the other hand, treat them like humans and they will act like humans.

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Prisons like these always brought the following scene into my mind → begging a police officer to put you to prison because you have no money for the rent.

sgardner avatar
Susan Gardner
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are living far better than many USA citizens. If we had a prison like that here, people would be committing crime just to get 'affordable' housing. Some do that already, just to get off the streets and feel safe and to get a shower and a hot meal (or any meal). Very sad.

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Lidia Wójtewicz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of this prisons looks much better than student accommodation in Poland...

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Risa Lovee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, they look like they live a better lifestyle in prison compared to some people who aren't even in prison.

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Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they must also get therapy, anger-management classes or education to ensure that they don't reoffend when they return to society and to protect the public. I wonder too if they have criminals deemed too dangerous to return to society?

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Silje Melhus
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do. Anders Bering Breivik. The man responsible for the 22. Of July massacre in 2011. And he's complaining about Norwegian prisons not even meeting basic human rights and filed a lawsuit with ICCt.

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Giulia Betke
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what? For crimes that don't involve hurting people physically, I believe that prisons such as these are good, however i dont believe that murders and rapists should get this luxury

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Teleri Nyfain
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of you seem to miss two huge points - one, this 'cushy' prison that's on an isolated island BTW is CHEAPER than high security prisons to run, & two - the biggie - recidivism is very LOW - that means for the less educated among you that people who serve their time here do NOT go out and commit more crimes - or at least the rate of reoffending is much lower than our 'punishment & revenge' prisons - where those convicted of minor crimes get thrown into hellholes where they learn how to become MAJOR criminals ~sigh~

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mviores avatar
Michael Viores
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every human should be treated with dignity and respect. It shouldn't be a privilege, it's a God given right by birth in my opinion. <3

lemon2000000000 avatar
Daniel Laemmerhirt
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Um, yeah! Last I checked, Norway has THE highest life satisfaction score on Earth. The inmates rank among the 92%+ happy Norwegians.

lgg4010 avatar
LG G4010
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is better than my house and show me how prison cells look in Portugal

verapaz avatar
Vera Paz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People that murder are mentally ill, and they need rehab. Rapists should not get this, however. @Giulia Betke

alauramz avatar
Ana Muniz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does one have to do to get committed here? Askifor a friend.

diane_ross91 avatar
Diane Ross
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should go to Norway and commit some light crime there. Destination sold! https://www.paulmankin.com/your-rights-under-the-fdcpa

bobbeerbong avatar
Bob Beerbong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of ignorant Americans in here with their medieval cowboy mentality. LET US MAKE SOMETHING CLEAR: This is not a standard Norwegian prison. You have to apply to get there. Too apply for this prison you have to spend many years locked up 23 hours a day in a standard prison and show remarkable changes in your personality. They don't let just anyone in there. The project has proven to be a great success and is now being adapted in other countries! DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?

k_subramanian0 avatar
K. Subramanian 0
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Far better than hostels of pupils of educational institutions in India.

smash17 avatar
smash17
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suspect this offers more time for self-reflection and change.

elisha3388 avatar
Elisha Gabriell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't we do this in the US? Is it because the prison system is now privately owned business and the bottom line is everything? I dont' know but would love to see change!

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Chelle Jones
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering some living conditions for our vets I think being an offender would be a goal if they lived in this country. Insanity.

teleri_nyfain avatar
Teleri Nyfain
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the key. It's worth it to have prisons with LOW recidivism.

damien_o_callaghan avatar
Damien O Callaghan
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anders Behring Breveik must be laughing his bollocks off And i would not be a bit surprised if he had Internet Access So he can compose another manifesto It turns out he was right all along

bobbeerbong avatar
Bob Beerbong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1. You have to apply to get there and you have to be in a traditional prison first. This is not a standard Norwegian prison. 2. Breivik is locked 23 hours a day and has no internet access at all. It is likely he will be in "forvaring" (confinement) for the rest of his life.

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Rachelle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are quite a few law abiding people in my country who don't have the luxuries these prisoners have. I personally don't think this is even close to being adequate punishment for violent offenders.

shibas1 avatar
Laura Perkinson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So what is to stop them from killing someone again? after all they get a cushy life and again free?? I think this is a tax payers waste of money. they men are rewarded not punished

bobbeerbong avatar
Bob Beerbong
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AMERICAN MORON! You have to apply to get to this prison (and it's the only one in Norway). You also have to show lots of improvement in your character during the years in a STANDARD PRISON before you can even thinking applying to get there. Also: Our prisons have proven to be a great success so take your medieval cowboy mentality and shove it. 'cause you know what? THE US HAS STARTED TO COPY OUR MODEL!

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Amy Force
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok but.... what if the person in question was incarcerated for, say, Kiddie porn, of child molestation... i see a COMPUTER there in the last picture! what's to STOP them from continuing with their sub-human behavior?? or is it monitored?? I could see this depending on the CRIME.... but typically, you are incarcerated for a REASON, and the COMFORTS of "regular life" being withheld is part of the punishment... They don't look to be "missing out" on ANYTHING here! As a mater of fact, this looks like a Maine Cottage I would book in the SUMMER to get away for a BREAK!! 🙄

amyforce avatar
Amy Force
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and it says RIGHT THERE: "some of which are MURDERERS and RAPISTS..." That's just GREAT. Yeah, I'm sure they feel "punished & rehabilitated".... 🙄🙄🙄 >:(

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Ferenc Lakatos
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reoffending rate is just one number. To evaluate an institution by only one number is oversimplification. If the prison provides better living conditions than that a person can provide for itself, it becomes a reward for a crime instead of punishment. Homeless people committing crimes before winter to spend the cold months in prison is a common practice in some countries.

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being stuck on a frozen island near the Arctic Circle is NOT the lap of luxury. And since countries like Norway have virtually no homeless people, you just sound silly now.

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Virgínia Almeida
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is ridiculous, criminals do not deserve these luxurious prisons. In many countries good people have nothing close to it.

lisamarie_havener avatar
Just saying
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, am I the ONLY person that thinks this is wrong. Hell, go break a law and commit a crime, you won't be locked up, you can just live by yourself. Stupid.

ltcwheatex avatar
Glenna Wheatley
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do murderers and rapists warrant time at a low security prison?

benicia_99 avatar
Azure Adams
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously this better be for like j-walking or something because this is better than 40% of what the world regularly lives in and prison is not about pleasure!

davidsassanos1521 avatar
David
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn’t support high level crimes staying in a facility like this... it doesn’t seem like justice to the person raped or family members now living their life without a loved one.

yukobuz avatar
Yukobuz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reoffending rate for murderers should always be zero, because they should never be let out. If you want want to give justice by executing just as they did to innocent people, then they should at least suffer in another way. And living here is not suffering

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Lily Langtry
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So what do I need to do to get incarcerated in Norway?

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#4

Halden Prison, Halden‎, Norway

Halden Prison, Halden‎, Norway

Halden Prison is a maximum-security prison in Halden, Norway. It has three main units and receives prisoners from all over the world, but has no conventional security devices. The second-largest prison in Norway, it was established in 2010 with a focus on rehabilitation; its design simulates life outside the prison. Among other activities, sports and music are available to the prisoners, who interact with the unarmed staff to create a sense of community. Praised for its humane conditions, Halden Prison has received the Arnstein Arneberg Award for its interior design in 2010 and been the subject of a documentary, but has also received criticism for being too liberal.

Knut Egil Wang , The New York Times Report

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로희
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like a hotel room from some 3-star hotels in my country.

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#5

Onomichi Prison, Onomichi, Japan

Onomichi Prison, Onomichi, Japan

Elderly prisons are becoming more common in Japan as the country continues to age. Onomichi Prison hosts an all-senior population. Inmates have access to handrails, soft food, and spend their working hours knitting and sewing

Prison Photography , Washington Post Report

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MeggersTheFox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing to see how respected and well-treated the elders in Japan are, even in prisons.

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#6

Norgerhaven Prison, Veenhuizen, Netherlands

Norgerhaven Prison, Veenhuizen, Netherlands

Inmates at the Norgerhaven prison in Veenhuizen, Netherlands, have a bed, furniture, a refrigerator, and a TV in their cells, as well as a private bathroom. The crime rates in the Netherlands are so low, that they faced an “undercrowding” crisis. To solve this “problem”, the country struck a deal with Norway in 2015, to take on their prison overflow. Now part of Norwegian inmates serve their sentences in Norgerhaven.

ANP , Norwegian Correctional Service Report

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Norway and the Netherlands are proof that treating your prisoners well doesn't result in increased crime rates, and in fact it contributes to the opposite. It's not just this though - both countries have a better attiude to social welfare generally, and they both have a highly developed culture of egalitariansim and looking out for each other, and this is why Scandiavia and the northwest of Europe contains some of the 'happiest' countries in the world. The every-man-for-himself corporate capitalism of the US is a failure compared to the social democracies of the Vikings and their descendants.

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#7

HMP Addiewell, Lothian, Scotland

HMP Addiewell, Lothian, Scotland

HMP Addiewell is a learning prison, where residents can address their offending behaviour and the circumstances which led to their imprisonment through Purposeful Activity. Purposeful activities include education, counseling and work. Nature and family contact whilst in prison is also a fundamental element of the rehabilitation process.

Lorenzo Dalberto , hmpaddiewell Report

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Carol Emory
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a friend whose niece was raped by a man sent here. Hopefully his most powerful lesson he will learn will be understanding what the words "no" and "get your hands off me" means...

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#8

Black Dolphin Prison, Sol-Iletsk, Russia

Black Dolphin Prison, Sol-Iletsk, Russia

At Russia's notorious Black Dolphin Prison on the border of Kazakhstan, inmates share small 50-square-foot cells that are set back behind three sets of steel doors. Inmates live in a "cell within a cell”, with 24-hour surveillance. Black Dolphin houses the most brutal criminals, including serial killers, cannibals, and terrorists. A prison lieutenant told National Geographic, which did a documentary on the facility, that the only way to escape is by dying. If you combine all the crimes of the inmates, they have killed about 3,500 people. That's an average of five murders per inmate.

The Sun , Business Insider Report

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Linda Matheny
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw that documentary as well. They don't sugar coat your crime. If you are fortunate enough to get out of that place, you won't commit another crime

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#9

Champ-Dollon Prison, Geneva, Switzerland

Champ-Dollon Prison, Geneva, Switzerland

Opened in 1977, the main function of Geneva’s Champ-Dollon prison is to hold prisoners before trial and sentencing. The numbers of inmates is constantly increasing, which has lead to a chronic problem of overcrowding. 115 different nationalities were represented in the prison in 2010 with just 7.2% Swiss.

swissinfo Report

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diane a
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People absolutely should be held in good conditions before being convicted of any crime

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#10

The Las Colinas Detention And Reentry Facility, Santee, California

The Las Colinas Detention And Reentry Facility, Santee, California

The prison was designed to be the first detention facility of its kind in the U.S. where environmental and behavioral psychology are used to “improve the experience and behavior of both inmates and staff”

BDC Network Report

#11

Landsberg Prison, Landsberg Am Lech, Germany

Landsberg Prison, Landsberg Am Lech, Germany

This is the prison where Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf," and 278 Nazis were executed for war crimes. Nowadays, the conditions are considerably better at Landsberg. The progressive prison provides 36 courses in their central training centre for occupations such as bakers, electricians, painters, butchers, carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, heating & ventilation workers and bricklayers.

Matthias Schrader , The Local Report

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SnowyLynx
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was interested by that piece about Hitler. But it's nice that today the prison has courses to help these men live a better life after prison.

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#12

Abashiri Prison, Abashiri, Japan

Abashiri Prison, Abashiri, Japan

At Abashiri Prison in Japan, guards inspect inmates' rooms once a day. The prison houses offenders with sentences of 8 years or less. Life inside is very strict, however there's no record of gang violence, rape, drugs or murder at the prison. Abashiri has a souvenir shop in front of the main gate, where they sell goods made inside the prison. Items sold range from Abashiri Prison Candy to all sorts of hand-made craft work.

Documentary Prison & Gangs , Japan Visitor Report

#13

Cebu Provincial Detention And Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Cebu, Cebu Province, Philippines

Cebu Provincial Detention And Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Cebu, Cebu Province, Philippines

CPDRC is a maximum security prison where the prisoners perform dance routines as part of their daily exercise and rehabilitation, and many of their performances are filmed and released online, making them a popular feature among fans and veritable online celebrities

wikipedia , Adam Jasper Report

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Susan Robinson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a old photo, now Durterte is elected it in not like this at all. Now there is a shortage of food, water and it is infested with rodents and cockroaches and severe overcrowding

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#14

Penal De Ciudad Barrios, Ciudad Barrios, San Miguel, El Salvador

Penal De Ciudad Barrios, Ciudad Barrios, San Miguel, El Salvador

These cells are just 12 feet wide and 15 feet tall, but they're usually packed with more than 30 people. They were initially constructed to serve as 72-hour holding cells, but many inmates stay for more than a year. Most of their days are spent pulling apart their clothes and using the thread to sew together hammocks, where they sleep stacked on top of one another like cords of wood.

Giles Clarke Report

#15

Oslo's Skien Prison, Oslo, Norway

Oslo's Skien Prison, Oslo, Norway

Prisons in Norway are meant to mimic outside conditions as much as possible to prepare inmates to reenter society. At Oslo's Skien prison, inmates have private bathrooms, a TV, video games and access to a gym and yard. Mass murderer Anders Breivik is currently serving his 21 year sentence there. He tried to sue the state over "cruel" conditions in 2016, however, this man’s prison life would seem luxurious to most people - his cell has three rooms, "one for living, one for studying, and a third for physical exercise — as well as a television, a computer without internet access and a game console. He is able to prepare his own food and do his own laundry.”

Reuters , Splinter News Report

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diane a
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Breivik most definitely does not deserve such excellent conditions and I sincerely hope he never reenters society - ever

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#16

Otago Corrections Facility, Milburn, New Zealand

Otago Corrections Facility, Milburn, New Zealand

It has been dubbed the "Milton Hilton" - a place where prisoners can relax in ultimate luxury while they do their time. The Otago Corrections Facility in New Zealand looks more like a teenager's bedroom than a prison. There are health facilities and a library designed to keep people feeling like members of society.

Stephen Jaquiery , Otago Daily Times Report

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#17

The Maula Prison, Lilongwe, Malawi

The Maula Prison, Lilongwe, Malawi

The Maula prison in Lilongwe, Malawi, is severely overcrowded — in 2015, almost 200 people were crammed into one 60-person cell. Prisoners there, many of whom are Ethiopian migrants, must share one toilet per 120 people and one tap per 900 people. Prisoners are fed just once a day, due to the small budget of the Malawian government. One of a few highlights for the inmates is sports. Men are permitted to play football and women can play basketball.

Luca Sola , The Guardian Report

#18

ADX Florence, Colorado, United States

ADX Florence, Colorado, United States

US Penitentiary Administrative Maximum, also known as ADX Florence, the "Alcatraz of the Rockies," and "Supermax," is a modern super-maximum security federal prison located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Florence, Colorado. Opened in 1994, the ADX Supermax facility was designed to incarcerate and isolate criminals deemed as being too dangerous for the average prison system.
The majority of prisoners are kept in administrative segregation. They are confined to a specifically designed single-person cell for 23 hours a day. Prisoners are moved around under strict restraints (handcuffed, shackled or both), for their 1 hour time out, which includes showers, exercise, and with privileges, phone calls. Served in their cell, their meals are restricted to foods that can't be used to harm themselves, or create unhygienic conditions.

Lizzie Himmel , thoughtco Report

#19

Haiti's Civil Prison, Arcahaie, Haiti

Haiti's Civil Prison, Arcahaie, Haiti

Haiti's Civil Prison, on the coastal town of Arcahaie, is notoriously overcrowded. In 2016, 174 inmates escaped during a riot that left one guard dead and others injured.

Dieu Nalio Chery , Telegraph Report

#20

UN Detention Unit, Outside The Hague, Netherlands

UN Detention Unit, Outside The Hague, Netherlands

The United Nations Detention Unit (UNDU) is a UN-administered jail. It was established in 1993 as part of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The facility now serves as the International Criminal Court detention centre, where individuals are prosecuted for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The jail houses the detained suspects during their trial and those convicted by the court serving prison sentences. Each cell has it's own toilet and washing area. Inmates have access to a gym and a PE instructor, they can also cook for themselves. A personal computer is provided in each cell, where inmates can view material on their cases.

European Pressphoto Agency , Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report

#21

Petak Island Prison, Vologda, Russia

Petak Island Prison, Vologda, Russia

Often referred to as the “Alcatraz of Russia,” Petak Island holds Russia’s most dangerous criminals. Aside from the mental torture of 22.5-hour-a-day lockdowns in two-man rooms, most prisoners are allowed just two visitors per year. And that’s all the inmates can ever hope for, as the prison itself is hopelessly inescapable, surrounded by the freezing waters of White Lake.

КАТОРЖАНИН , Briana Jones Report

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Aunt Messy
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be interesting to know what the suicide rates are in places like this and in San Quentin. Being in isolation for 22 or 23 hours a day is considered to be torture by groups like Amnesty International.

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#22

San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, California

San Quentin State Prison, San Quentin, California

San Quentin State Prison is the oldest prison (Opened in July 1852) in California. It's a maximum-security facility that once housed Charles Manson. Men condemned to death in California must (with some exceptions) be held at San Quentin. It's the state's only death row for male inmates, the largest in the United States. In 2001, San Quentin's death row was described as "the largest in the Western Hemisphere"; and in 2005, it was referred to as, "the most populous execution antechamber in the United States. The “death row” prison count, as of December 2015, was 708 male inmates.

Reuters , wikipedia Report

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diane a
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No wonder Johnny Cash was such a big event for them back then

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#23

Evin Prison, Tehran, Iran

Evin Prison, Tehran, Iran

Although the Iranian regime has continuously denied it, Evin Prison is known to be a virtual torture factory, where countless numbers of inmates have met their fate. Due to the number of intellectuals imprisoned within its walls, the prison has been nicknamed Evin University. The prison is extremely overcrowded, hygiene is poor and in Iran’s sweltering hot summers, the temperature can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. There is no form of air conditioning, and the air within cells becomes rank with sweat and human waste. Water quality is bad and barely edible food comes in meagre portions. Medical facilities are virtually non-existent. The whole process is designed to break the resolve of political prisoners, where pressure for a confession continues until the captive breaks their silence. To add to all the anguish, contact with the outside world is completely cut off. Family visits and telephone calls are forbidden, and even the guards are ordered to be silent.

Reuters , Sky News Report

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로희
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a second the room seemed "decent" until I read the narrative.

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#24

HM Prison Dartmoor, Princetown, England

HM Prison Dartmoor, Princetown, England

Dartmoor still has a misplaced reputation for being a high-security prison that is escape-proof. As a Category C prison, Dartmoor houses mainly non-violent offenders and white-collar criminals. It also holds sex offenders and offers sex offender treatment programmes intended to make the offender realise their behaviour is unacceptable. Some inmates subsequently volunteer for behaviour-changing treatment with medication under a scheme being piloted at HMP Whatton, which has had encouraging results.

Wikipedia Report

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Anders Thonander
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the first picture in this collection that looks like a classic prison cell

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#25

Quezon City Jail, Quezon City, Philippines

Quezon City Jail, Quezon City, Philippines

Inside Quezon City jail in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, there is a relentless and constant battle for space, water, and food in an unhygienic facility. With 160 to 200 inmates crammed into a cell built for 20, men take turns sleeping on the cracked cement floor of an open-air basketball court, the steps of staircases, underneath beds and hammocks made out of old blankets

Adam Dean, National Geographic , dailymail Report

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BeenElle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They take turns sleeping on the floor! That’s awful. Overcrowded is an understatement.

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#26

El Buen Pastor Women's Prison, Bogota, Colombia

El Buen Pastor Women's Prison, Bogota, Colombia

The El Buen Pastor women's prison in Bogota, Colombia contains cells that were designed to house 2 inmates but now house anywhere between 10 to 20 women. Corruption and violence is prominent amongst prisoners. Despite harsh conditions, El Buen Pastor makes attempts to humanize its inmates by a holding an annual beauty pageant and parade.

Associated Press , Australian Broadcasting Corporation Report

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#27

Pelican Bay State Prison, Crescent City, California

Pelican Bay State Prison, Crescent City, California

Pelican Bay State Prison’s primary purpose is to house the "worst of the worst" violent male prisoners from the California state prison system. 40% of Pelican State's inmates are serving life sentences and nearly all have histories of violence at other California prisons which resulted in their transfer to Pelican Bay. The sole exception are the institution's minimum security inmates who work as part of the prison's outside maintenance and firefighter programs.

Robert Gumpert , wikipedia Report

#28

San Pedro Prison, La Paz, Bolivia

San Pedro Prison, La Paz, Bolivia

San Pedro prison is guarded by police officers rather than a hired civilian force, guards are only concerned with keeping inmates confined in the prison. The order inside prison is kept by elected leaders, commonly through stabbing. Inmates must purchase their own cells from other inmates. The wealthiest ones live in area called "La Posta", which provides inmates with private bathrooms, a kitchen, and cable television, such cells are sold for around $1,500-1,800 Bolivianos. Wealthiest inmates can buy luxury cells that may include three floors and a hot tub. However, most of those inside the prison live in cramped conditions with it being common for single-room cells to accommodate five people. A lot of inmates live with their families because it's believed to be safer inside the prison than on the impoverished streets. Cocaine is produced inside the compound, a lot of inmates make a living by selling it to tourists, Although tourism in the prison is illegal, many people gain access to a tour by bribing the guards.

Lapazlife , Daily Mail Report

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BeenElle
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of person is going through an active prison as a tourist activity?!

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#29

Rikers Island Prison, New York, United States

Rikers Island Prison, New York, United States

Rikers Island of New York was named one of the US's 10 worst prisons by Mother Jones. The island has been famous for decades and has been under the watch of a federal monitor overseeing inmate treatment. The prison drew a new wave of criticism after 2015 for the suicide of Kalief Browder, a teenager who'd spent three years on the island waiting for trial on charges of stealing a backpack. As of 2018, the population at the prison is below 9k for the first time in 25 years and plans to close it are being made.

Associated Press , motherjones Report

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Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

horrible--a teenager was in there? awaiting trial for stealing a backpack? My god, how utterly inhumane. I hope the government was sued.

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#30

Neve Tirza, Ramla, Israel

Neve Tirza, Ramla, Israel

Neve Tirza is Israel's only women's prison. Most cells are 13 square meters, including a toilet and shower. Each cell houses about six women, who often have to share sleeping spaces.

Tomer Ifrah , Refinery29 Report

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BeenElle
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn’t Israel supposed to be a first-world country? 6 women in a 13 sq. meter cell is shameful.

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#31

Bordeaux Prison, Montreal, Canada

Bordeaux Prison, Montreal, Canada

Bordeaux Prison in Montreal, Canada, houses 1,000 to 1,500 male inmates with sentences of two years or less.

David-Olivier Gascon , CTV News Montreal Report

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Coco LeMay
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from Quebec, Canada... and believe me... something is wrong with our penal system. You can kill your kids and if you prove you were temporarly insane you will be found non responsible. We set murderer free because they awaited trial for too long... but heh! Do not owe any tax money! They will find you!!!

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#32

Altiplano Prison, Almoloya De Juarez, Mexico

Altiplano Prison, Almoloya De Juarez, Mexico

Altiplano is a high-security prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico. The maximum security federal prison was built with walls that are as much as 1 meter in thickness and the air space near the facility is restricted. Authorities claim that cell phone transmissions are limited within 10 km (6.2 mi) of the prison to stymie communications between the inmates and their colleagues outside. Additionally, armored personnel carriers are based near the facility to protect it against a potential assault. This prison was thought to be impenetrable until the July 11, 2015, when "El Chapo" Guzmán escaped through a tunnel.




Reuters , Business Insider Report

#33

Kashimpur Central Jail, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Kashimpur Central Jail, Gazipur, Bangladesh

About 1,200 inmates live in Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur, Bangladesh.

MM Badsha , Bangladesh Jail Report

#34

The Federal Correctional Institution, El Reno, Oklahoma

The Federal Correctional Institution, El Reno, Oklahoma

The Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma, is a medium-security facility that houses about 1,000 male inmates. It has one of two remaining farm facilities in the Federal Bureau of Prisons

APF-JIJI , Federal Bureau of Prisons Report

#35

Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa Penitentiary, Manaus, Brazil

Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa Penitentiary, Manaus, Brazil

Inmates face almost certain danger at Desembargador Raimundo Vidal Pessoa penitentiary in Manaus, Brazil. Four people were killed in an inmate uprising last year, and dozens were killed at other prisons around the city.

Mario Tama , Reuters Report

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Apollo
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does he have three fans and a cooking unit? I doubt that all prisoners have a cell like this. Probably only the ones with influence.

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