Buzz
If you're a frequent viewer of movies or TV shows, you likely have a clear image of prison life: confined to a small cell, possibly sharing it with a cellmate who might pose a threat; a harsh, authoritarian warden; and the constant vigilance required to avoid unexpected attacks in common areas like the cafeteria, yard, or showers.
However, real-life prisons often differ from their on-screen portrayals. Here are ten facilities that defy conventional expectations, showcasing some of the most unconventional prisons worldwide.
10 Halden Prison
Certain prisons are infamous for their violent environments and inhumane treatment of inmates, often resorting to unethical methods to maintain order. In stark contrast, the Scandinavians have taken a radically different approach with Halden Prison, often hailed as the world's most humane correctional facility.
Situated in Norway, Halden Prison is frequently praised for its serene and calming atmosphere. Inmates enjoy high-quality meals, freshly brewed coffee, and cells equipped with televisions, mini-fridges, private bathrooms, and picturesque views of the surrounding woodland. You might assume it's a minimum-security facility, but Halden houses some of Norway's most dangerous criminals. If life gets tough in that region, committing a serious crime might just land you in this unexpected paradise.
9 Kresty Prison
From one of the most humane prisons to one of the least: Kresty Prison in St. Petersburg, Russia. Constructed in the 1730s, Kresty embodies the grim, oppressive image of an old Russian prison. It was notorious for its dark, dreary conditions and severe overcrowding. Thankfully, the facility has been effectively closed, with plans to transform it into an entertainment and hotel complex.
During the 1990s, Kresty Prison was estimated to hold around 12,500 inmates, a shocking number considering its original capacity was only 1,150. Cells meant for solitary confinement were crammed with up to twenty prisoners at once, forcing them to alternate sleeping in the limited bunk beds available.
8 Canto Grande Prison
Known as the “Shining Path” prison, Canto Grande Prison in Peru was a unique facility reminiscent of scenes from films like The Dark Knight Rises or No Escape. It was a prison entirely managed by the inmates themselves.
While guards were present, they soon became irrelevant as the Shining Path faction seized control, establishing their own schedules and regulations, including work and study programs. The curriculum focused on the writings of Lenin, Marx, and Mao, aligning with the group's Communist ideology. This was a true example of the inmates taking charge, turning the prison into their own domain.
7 Cebu Prison
Situated in the Philippines, the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center is a prison you might have seen without knowing it. In 2007, its inmates gained global fame by performing a choreographed rendition of the Thriller dance, which became one of the most viral videos ever.
What many don’t know is that the Thriller performance wasn’t the only dance routine created by the over 1,500 inmates. Since 2005, the prison has gained recognition for this unique approach to rehabilitation through dance, despite the fact that approximately 70% of the inmates are classified as violent offenders.
6 Squirrel Cage Jail
The Squirrel Cage Jail in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, ceased operations in 1969, but during its active years, it boasted one of the most unique designs ever seen in a correctional facility. While its exterior resembled a typical small-town jail, the interior told a completely different story.
This was due to its revolving cell design. The concept aimed to achieve “maximum security with minimal supervision” – allowing a single jailer stationed at the center of the circular structure to monitor all inmates simultaneously without needing to patrol.
5 Maricopa County Jail
Maricopa County, Arizona, is home to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a law enforcement figure known for his unconventional methods. He believes the best way to handle inmates is to expose them to the scorching 110-degree heat and subject them to humiliation in his Tent City Jail.
As the name suggests, Tent City is exactly what it sounds like. Inmates at the Maricopa County Jail, both men and women, are housed in canvas tents exposed to the relentless Arizona heat. Unsurprisingly, this has sparked widespread criticism and protests, with many condemning the conditions as inhumane.
Sheriff Arpaio’s response to the backlash is straightforward: if US military personnel can endure extreme heat in Iraq and Afghanistan, the inmates of Tent City can handle it as well.
4 Fortezza Medicea Prison
Italy is renowned for many things, including its exceptional cuisine. It’s no surprise, then, that Fortezza Medicea Prison offers meals comparable to those at a high-end restaurant. What’s more surprising is that the dishes are prepared by the inmates, many of whom are serving life sentences for murder. Even more astonishing? Law-abiding citizens often visit Fortezza Medicea to enjoy the gourmet offerings.
No, visitors aren’t dining in a prison cafeteria and risking an encounter with an incarcerated mobster. Instead, they are served by those very inmates who work in the on-site restaurant, which is open to the public at Fortezza Medicea. While the food is undoubtedly exquisite, I’d recommend against requesting ketchup.
3. Justizzentrum Leoben Prison
I started this list with the world’s most humane prison and will conclude with the most luxurious. Justizzentrum Leoben, or Justice Center Leoben, is located in Austria and surpasses many residential spaces in comfort. Often dubbed a five-star prison, it resembles a high-end resort more than a correctional facility.
The facility is a stunning, ultra-modern building with exceptional amenities and beautifully landscaped grounds. The razor wire atop the walls is one of the few reminders that it’s a prison. The cells are spacious and well-appointed, resembling upscale dorm rooms rather than traditional prison cells. Though, as many college students might argue, the two aren’t so different.
2 San Pedro Prison
San Pedro Prison is a bustling community and, surprisingly, a legitimate tourist destination.
Located in Bolivia, the prison is divided into sections and social classes. Wealthier inmates can purchase what amounts to luxury accommodations: cells featuring private bathrooms, cable TV, kitchens, and occasionally even a Jacuzzi. These cells cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and inmates “own” them until their release. San Pedro is home to children, markets, shops, and, remarkably, no guards. The prisoners have established their own system of rules and laws, which they enforce with little outside intervention.
1. Aranjuez Prison
Prisons are generally no place for children, but Aranjuez Prison in Spain is an exception. While it houses serious criminals serving lengthy sentences, it also accommodates an unconventional group of residents: the families of the inmates.
Within Aranjuez, prisoners live alongside their families, enabling young children to bond with their incarcerated parents while attending school and experiencing a relatively normal childhood. Children remain with their parents in the prison until they turn three, after which they are sent to live with relatives.
The cells at Aranjuez are far from typical. They can be up to 150 square feet, equipped with private bathrooms, and designed with children in mind. On the bright side, when these kids eventually attend regular schools, they’ll already have more life experience than most of their peers on the playground.
