Prisons are places that few would ever want to find themselves, yet they are a harsh reality for many individuals across the globe. They are designed to keep society safe by keeping dangerous individuals away from the public and to act as a deterrent for committing crimes. However, some prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, brutality, and violations of human rights. This list takes a deeper look into the top 10 worst prisons in the world, which are infamous for their dire conditions and the ill-treatment of inmates.
#10 Carandiru Penitentiary – Brazil
Now closed, Carandiru Penitentiary in Brazil was once the largest prison in Latin America. It gained notoriety following a massacre in 1992 where 111 inmates lost their lives after a riot broke out. Overcrowding was a chronic problem, with diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis spreading rapidly among prisoners. The inhumane living conditions and the violent massacre led to its closure in 2002, but its dark legacy lands it a spot on this list.
#9 La Sabaneta Prison – Venezuela
La Sabaneta Prison in Venezuela is another example of overcrowding and lack of basic facilities. Here, food and clean water are scarce, leading to malnutrition and disease. Violence is a daily occurrence with gangs often controlling various parts of the prison. There have been reports of inmates arming themselves with guns and grenades, indicating the level of lawlessness within its walls. Despite efforts to improve conditions, La Sabaneta remains a grim establishment.
#8 Tadmor Prison – Syria
Notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners, Tadmor Prison in Syria is often cited as one of the most oppressive detention centers in the world. Located in the desert, it is isolated from the outside world – which meant abuses, including torture and executions, frequently went unchecked. Amnesty International described it as a place where “every aspect of it was designed to dehumanize its inhabitants.” The prison was closed in 2015, but its name still remains synonymous with cruelty.
#7 Diyarbakir Prison – Turkey
Diyarbakir Prison in Turkey has a dark history of abuse, particularly during political instability in the 1980s. Kurdish inmates, in particular, faced harsh treatment, with reports of torture, overcrowding, and unhygienic conditions being widespread. The prison has also been the site of several hunger strikes and riots over the years. Although there have been improvements in recent times, its past makes Diyarbakir Prison infamous.
#6 Gitarama Central Prison – Rwanda
In Gitarama Central Prison, located in Rwanda, conditions are so dire that it has been referred to as a “modern-day hell.” Designed to house around 400 inmates, at its peak, it held over 7,000. The extreme overcrowding forced prisoners to stand for long hours, and cannibalism has been reported within its walls. Infections and disease are rampant, and the death rate in the prison was once the highest in the world.
#5 Bang Kwang Central Prison – Thailand
Often called the “Bangkok Hilton,” Bang Kwang Central Prison is anything but luxurious. Long-term inmates and those on death row are held here, with reports of prisoners being given just one bowl of rice soup a day to survive. Medical assistance is sparse, and many inmates struggle with malnourishment and disease. Notably, inmates sentenced to death are notified mere hours before their execution, adding a psychological torment to the already grim conditions.
#4 Rikers Island – USA
Rikers Island in New York City has a reputation as one of the most infamous prisons in the United States. Overcrowding, abuse from guards, gang violence, and a lack of sanitary conditions have all been cited as ongoing problems. Despite being a facility that largely holds inmates awaiting trial, rather than those serving long sentences, the level of violence and neglect rivals that of prisons containing high-risk convicts.
#3 La Modelo – Colombia
La Modelo in Bogotá, Colombia, houses both paramilitary members and guerrilla fighters alongside common criminals, leading to frequent violent clashes. Overcrowding is a significant problem, with sanitation and healthcare facilities being woefully inadequate. Corruption among guards and officials exacerbates the situation, often leading to weapons and drugs being smuggled into the facility, further compromising safety and order.
#2 Al-Ha’ir Prison – Saudi Arabia
Al-Ha’ir Prison, situated near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, contains inmates ranging from political activists to terrorists. It is notorious for its use of physical and psychological torture. The complete isolation of high-profile inmates, combined with the abuse meted out by prison staff, makes it one of the world’s most feared prisons. Almost no information comes out from its walls due to stringent censorship, leading to a cloak of secrecy around the abuses within.
#1 Kwanliso Concentration Camps – North Korea
The kwanliso of North Korea, or political prison camps, are perhaps the most secretive and inhumane prisons globally. These camps, such as Camp 22 and Camp 15, hold political prisoners, their families, and anyone deemed a threat to the regime. Reports and testimonies by the few who have escaped tell of forced labor, torture, starvation, executions, and even chemical experimentation. The complete lack of accountability and the extreme measures taken against the inmates secure these camps as the worst prisons in the world.
An acknowledgment of these prisons serves as a sobering reminder of the inhumanity inflicted upon fellow human beings in places that lack transparency, legal protections, and basic human rights. By shining a light on these conditions, we can hope to advocate for improvements and prevent such oppressive treatment from becoming overlooked or normalized. While some of these prisons have closed or improved over time, others continue to operate with impunity, making persistent advocacy for prisoners’ rights as important as ever.