The 10 Worst Prisons in the World 

What really goes down in the world’s worst prisons? 

While prisons are supposed to be places where individuals pay for their crimes and work towards rehabilitation, some are far from it. Instead of offering basic comforts like TV and hobby rooms, these places are often referred to as “Hell on Earth.” They’re characterized by rampant violence, severe overcrowding, and neglect, making life even harder for inmates. 

Here’s a rundown of the top 10 worst prisons in the world.

1. Camp 22, North Korea

At the top of our list of the world’s worst prisons, there’s Camp 22, a concentration camp that houses around 50,000 detainees. Most of them are political prisoners. Many of those who have been there claim that detainees have endured extreme torture and even human experimentation. Some people, though, believe these reports are exaggerated and just part of anti-North Korean propaganda spread by the United States.

2. La Modelo, Colombia

This prison’s notorious for more than just arms and drug trafficking—it’s the microcosm of the outside world within its walls. Organized by affiliations, it houses far-left militants, right-wing paramilitary militias, and drug traffickers. With a 50% overcrowding rate and 11,000 inmates, its spotlight moment came in 2016 with the discovery of over 100 dismembered bodies in its sewer system, including visitors.

3. El Rodeo, Venezuela

During Hugo Chávez’s presidency, this prison,  located on the outskirts of the capital city of Caracas, housed up to 50,000 detainees. Two-thirds of them have been held before receiving a trial. In 2011, an outbreak of gang-related violence sparked a 27-day stand-off.

4. Rikers Island, USA

Rikers Island gained notoriety for its violence, documented in many news stories and legal cases. Known as one of the harshest U.S. prisons, it suffers from physical and mental abuse by guards, who sometimes even provoke fights among inmates. The excessive use of isolation, where inmates are locked up for long periods, is another concern, harming their mental well-being.

5. Diyarbakır, Turkey

Diyarbakir in Turkey is notorious for its severe human rights violations against inmates. The prison is infamous for its inhumane treatment of detainees, leading some to resort to suicide. Both inmates and visitors witness abuses and violence, with many opting not to report for fear of reprisal. Moreover, inmates often stage protests and hunger strikes. In addition to hygiene problems, the prison’s practice of incarcerating children, often for life, adds to its cruelty.

6. Alcatraz, USA

This special ranking of the world’s worst prisons wouldn’t be complete without the renowned Alcatraz prison, also dubbed the “Devil’s Island”. It was built in 1920 to make escape extremely difficult, isolating inmates from the outside world entirely. Closed in 1963, Alcatraz is now open for tourist visits but beware! Many claim that the spirits of some inmates still wander within the vast structure.

7. Kamiti, Kenya

The Kamiti Maximum Prison Remand Block in Nairobi, Kenya, detains inmates awaiting trial. Despite the lack of official sources, testimonies paint a grim picture: overcrowded cells, poor ventilation, and daily violence and abuse. This often leads to health issues like cholera and ulcers due to malnutrition and hygiene neglect.

8. Gitarama, Rwanda

The main issue at Gitarama prison, southeast of Kigali, is severe overcrowding. In a facility built for 500, there are over 7,000 detainees. Due to the cramped conditions, prisoners must spend hours outdoors in the courtyard without shelter. This often leads to infections and gangrene which ultimately result in amputations.

9. Carandiru, Brazil

This prison is famous for the tragic Carandiru massacre in 1992, where riots led to a mass execution of inmates. Carandiru Prison has a notorious history of an extraordinarily high death toll: 1,300 deaths in its 46 years of operation. The government closed it in 2002 following Amnesty International’s intervention, which launched numerous campaigns after reporting the severe human rights violations.

10. Bang Kwang, Thailand

Bang Kwang prison, nicknamed ‘Big Tiger’, was built in the 1930s for long-term inmates. Now, it holds over 7,000 prisoners despite a capacity of 3,500. Upon arrival, inmates are chained for three months. They face poor sanitation, violence, and a scarcity of food, creating a wealth-based power hierarchy.