For many centuries, being imprisoned has been considered punishment for crimes committed. Prisons around the world vary in size and amenities offered, particularly dependent on the types of criminals they house. Minimum security “luxury” prisons are known to have comfortable beds, access to private bathrooms, and recreational activities including rock climbing, tennis and horseback riding. But there are prisons on the other end of the spectrum as well, those that are severely overcrowded, contain excessively violent atmospheres, and lack proper medical care for inmates. This list highlights 10 of the worst places to get locked up.
Top 10 Of The Worst Prisons In The World
10. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Located on the eastern tip of Cuba, this American-owned prison was opened in 2002 in the wake of 9/11 to house Taliban and al-Queda prisoners captured in Afghanistan. While President Obama, upon his election, vowed to close the prison, it is still fully operational to this day and contains over 150 inmates in its two camps: Camp Delta and Camp Iguana. Once the site of the notorious Camp X-Ray, a temporary holding facility which closed in 2002, detainees were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques (aka torture) such as waterboarding and sense deprivation.
9. San Quentin State Prison, USA
The oldest prison in California, San Quentin is notoriously known for its violence. It has been home to many infamous criminals, including Charles Manson, Scott Peterson and Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy. It has the only death row facility in the state for male inmates (the largest facility in the United States), and is home to California’s only gas chamber. In the 1930s, San Quentin had a reputation for corruption and interracial riots that were encouraged by the guards.