In this article, we will take a look at 26 most dangerous prisons in the world.
Prisons are intended to be correctional facilities where criminals and offenders can serve their sentences while being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. However, in some parts of the world, these institutions are notorious for their brutal conditions, violence, and human rights abuses. The harsh realities within these walls often make survival a daily struggle for the inmates. From overcrowding and insufficient medical care to gang violence and corruption, many prisons have gained infamy for their horrible environments.
Overcrowding is a common issue that plagues many of the world’s most dangerous prisons. Inmates are often crammed into cells far beyond their intended capacity, leading to unhygienic conditions and greater tensions among prisoners. This overcrowding exacerbates the spread of diseases and makes it nearly impossible for prison staff to maintain control, often resulting in violent outbreaks. For example, in some prisons, cells meant to house ten inmates are found to be holding over 100 people, leading to violence and chaos.
Violence is another significant problem in these notorious prisons. Inmates often live in constant fear of assault from both fellow prisoners and corrupt guards. Gangs frequently control various aspects of prison life, and inmates must navigate these dangerous alliances to survive. This environment fosters a culture of brutality where only the strongest and most ruthless can survive. In many cases, the guards are either unwilling or unable to intervene, further increasing the cycle of violence.
Corruption is rampant in many of these institutions, contributing to their dangerous reputations. Guards and officials often engage in bribery and other illegal activities, turning a blind eye to the cruel occurrences within the prison walls. In some prisons, necessities like food, water, and medical care are withheld unless inmates can pay bribes, leaving the poorest inmates to suffer the most.
According to an article published in the Vera Institute, lack of adequate medical care is another critical issue in these prisons. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions lead to the rapid spread of diseases. Inmates with serious medical conditions frequently receive little to no treatment, leading to suffering and death. Also, according to Axios, COVID-19 death rates in prison were three times more than the general population in America. The absence of mental health services also increases the psychological toll on prisoners, many of whom are already dealing with trauma and mental illness.
Human rights abuses are widespread in the world’s most dangerous prisons. Inmates are subjected to inhumane treatment, including torture, forced labor, and prolonged solitary confinement. These abuses are often overlooked due to corruption and lack of oversight. International human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned these practices, but change is slow and difficult to implement.
The conditions in these prisons not only harm the inmates but also reflect broader issues within the criminal justice systems of their respective countries. High incarceration rates often correlate with systemic issues such as poverty, lack of education, and weak rule of law. Venezuelan prisons are known to be in the worst conditions with overcrowding, understaffing, and funding too little.
In countries torn by war and discrimination, prisons are often filled with individuals who have been unfairly targeted or who are awaiting trial without any hope of justice. These conditions highlight the need for comprehensive reforms to address the root causes of crime and improve the human rights situation.
Despite these grim realities, there are ongoing efforts by international organizations, human rights advocates, and some governments to improve conditions in these prisons. These efforts include advocating for better treatment of inmates, reducing overcrowding, and providing adequate medical care. However, significant challenges remain, and progress is often slow.
As we delve into the list of the 26 most dangerous prisons in the world, it becomes evident that these institutions are not just places of punishment but environments of extreme suffering and survival. Understanding the conditions within these prisons sheds light on the urgent need for reform and the importance of protecting human rights, even for those who have been convicted of crimes.
Methodology
To make a list of the top 26 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World, we have compiled prisons based on the number of prisoners who have died while being held in prison. Information has been obtained from research and news articles. We also took into consideration articles from our database like dangerous prisons, longest prison sentences, and countries with the most prisons.
Prison placed at number 1 in our list of 26 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World has the highest number of inmate deaths recorded.
26 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World
26. Arthur Road Jail, India
Arthur Road Jail, also known as Mumbai Central Prison is ranked number 26 in our list of 26 Most Dangerous Prisons. This is Mumbai’s oldest and largest correctional facility. However, it grapples with severe issues of understaffing and overcrowding.
This prison has a capacity designed for 800 inmates, but holds over 2000, exacerbating tensions and prompting violent conflicts among prisoners. Gang wars, resulting in injuries and fatalities, are a regular occurrence within its walls. According to an article published in ANI news, one inmate died by suicide in the winter of 2022.
25. Terre Haute, U.S.A.
Terre Haute houses high-profile inmates like Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Dubbed “Guantanamo North,” it faces criticism for poor conditions, inadequate medical care, and noise causing sleep deprivation in its special confinement unit. It had the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the federal system in January 2021.
According to a WFYI article 2 prisoners in total have been killed in this prison. In January of 2024, a prisoner named Mario Waters was murdered by another inmate.
24. San Quentin State Prison, USA
San Quentin is ranked 24 on our list. In 1982, a riot erupted at San Quentin State Prison, pitting Hispanic and African American inmates against each other. Tragically, six prisoners lost their lives in the violence. This event underscored the tensions within the prison system and highlighted the need for measures to address intergroup conflicts and improve safety.
23. Camp Jail, Lahore Pakistan
Ranked 23 in our list of Most Dangerous Prisons is Camp Jail in Lahore, Pakistan. This jail has seen a troubling increase in inmate deaths recently. A mysterious rise in deaths has been witnessed, with 6 prisoners passing away in 12 days during winter. These deaths were due to head injuries and chronic illnesses, raising serious concerns about the prison’s conditions and healthcare facilities.
22. Guatemala Prison
As per BBC, in 2019, a violent uprising erupted in a Guatemalan prison, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven inmates and leaving numerous others injured. This incident highlighted the urgent need for improved prison management and reform efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future.
21. Rikers Island, New York
Rikers Island in New York is notorious for its harsh conditions. Inmates face overcrowding, violence, and inadequate medical care. Reports of abuse by guards and rampant gang activity exacerbate the brutal environment.
The facility’s poor conditions have led to numerous deaths, sparking calls for its closure and reform. Nine men have died after being held on Rikers Island.
20. Guantanamo Bay
Ranked 20 on our list of 26 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World is Guantanamo Bay. This Cuban detention camp faces global outcry for its harsh treatment of detainees. The horrifying conditions include reports of torture, indefinite detention without trial, and human rights abuses. 9 inmates have been killed while being held at the prison camp. This sheds light on the dire living conditions at Guantanamo.
19. Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, USA
Going by the statement of the Statehouse News Bureau, an 11-day riot occurred in 1993. The riot left a profound mark on the state’s history. Amidst the chaos, nine inmates lost their lives, along with one brave corrections officer in Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, USA. The riot showed how complicated prisons can be and stressed how important it is to solve conflicts well and make prisons better.
18. Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya
Ranked 18 on our list of Dangerous Prisons In The World. Kamiti Maximum Security Prison is in Kenya which is infamous for its harsh conditions. Some prisoners have been killed while attempting to escape or have died due to torture by prison officers. 10 prisoners have died this year from torture alone, highlighting severe human rights violations within the facility.
17. Parc Prison Bridgend
Parc Prison in Bridgend comes under scrutiny due to many troubling incidents.10 inmates have died in just over three months amid claims of drug misuse by prisoners. This string of deaths has raised concerns about the prison’s conditions and the effectiveness of its drug control measures, highlighting significant challenges in maintaining inmate safety and well-being.
16. La Sabaneta Prison, Venezuela
La Sabaneta Prison in Venezuela is notorious for its violent and inhumane conditions. Overcrowding, rampant disease, and gang violence plague the facility. Inmates often face brutal treatment and lack necessities. The prison’s harsh environment has led to numerous deaths, making it one of the most dangerous in the world.
Recently, 16 prisoners were killed in violence inside a jail in the western Venezuelan city of Maracaibo. Fifteen inmates died in fights between rival gangs. The other victim was killed in a separate incident.
15. Cadereyta, Nuevo León, México
A riot erupted within Cadereyta prison claiming the lives of 16 inmates. The chaos unfolded amidst tensions due to overcrowding, gang rivalries, and inadequate facilities.
14. Mendoza Prison, Argentina
Mendoza Prison in Argentina is extremely overcrowded, holding about three times more prisoners than it can handle. According to Amnesty International, 22 prisoners have died due to ill-treatment. The prison has a capacity for 600 inmates but at present over 1,600 inmates are helping. The cells, measuring only 43 square feet, often contain up to five inmates, many of whom are forced to sleep on the floor without mattresses.
The prison faced issues such as torture, deaths, inadequate medical care, and the lack of a proper sewage system, forcing prisoners to use plastic bags and bottles as toilets.
13. La Modelo, Columbia
Located in Bogota, Colombia, La Modelo prison houses left-wing rebels in the north wing and right-wing government supporters in the south wing, with the space between serving as a battleground. Despite inmates having access to firearms and explosives, prison staff are unarmed. In an article published by Al Jazeerah, in March 2020, a riot erupted resulting in 23 deaths and 83 injuries. It also holds some of Colombia’s most notorious criminals.
12. Attica Correctional Facility, USA
Attica Correctional Facility, situated in Attica, New York, is a maximum-security prison housing some of America’s most notorious criminals. Attica is described as having a grim history of prison violence, notably the 1971 riot where inmates seized control, holding 42 staff members hostage for four days.
Tragically, the riot resulted in the loss of 43 lives, including 29 inmates and several prison staff. Its reputation has earned it a place among the top 10 most dangerous prisons globally.
11. The Penitentiary of New Mexico (PNM), USA
PNM is a men’s maximum-security correctional facility. It comprises three separate facilities: level II, level V, and level VI. The level VI facility serves as a supermax site, housing death row inmates and high-risk individuals.
In 1980, PNM witnessed the deadliest prison riot in U.S. history, the New Mexico State Penitentiary riot, claiming 33 lives. This incident solidified PNM’s position as one of the 25 most dangerous prisons globally.
10. Gldani Prison, Georgia
Gldani is number 10 in our list of most brutal prisons in the world. As per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 35 prisoners have died due to unknown reasons. The 2012 scandal at Gldani Prison in Tbilisi, Georgia, exposed prisoner torture by guards, including rape and assault, in videos filmed by a former guard. The footage led to nationwide protests and reforms in prisoner treatment.
While Georgia’s prison conditions have improved, Gldani Prison faces renewed scrutiny due to protests over the imprisonment of former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Supporters and opponents of Saakashvili’s release are protesting, highlighting the prison’s notoriety.
9. National Female Penitentiary for Social Adaptation, Honduras
The National Female Penitentiary for Social Adaptation in Honduras faces overcrowding and violence. Many inmates face poor living conditions, lacking basic hygiene and healthcare. The facility, intended to rehabilitate, often exacerbates the hardships of its prisoners, with frequent reports of abuse and neglect highlighting the dire situation faced by the women incarcerated there.
More than 40 women were killed in a Honduran prison riot. A deadly and violent riot led to deaths due to burning, gunshot wounds, and knife stabbings.
8. Bellavista Prison, Ecuador
BBC states that 40 prisoners were killed in a violent prison riot at Bellavista Prison in Ecuador, according to the public prosecutor, and that makes it the world’s toughest prison. The riot, involving rival gangs Los Lobos and R7, took place in Santo Domingo. Amid rising gang violence, Ecuador has seen some of its deadliest prison riots recently. During the chaos, 108 inmates escaped and remain missing.
7. Topo Chico, Mexico
Next in line is Topo Chico. In 2016, a violent riot erupted at Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, Mexico, taking the lives of 49 inmates. The incident shed light on the horrible conditions and rampant violence within the facility, prompting calls for prison reform and improved security measures.
6. Anísio Jobim (Compaj) Penitentiary, Brazil
Anísio Jobim Penitentiary, a prison in Brazil, witnessed one of the most brutal riots in history on January 1st, 2017. The riot, not triggered by poor conditions or targeting officers, pitted rival gang members against each other. The factions involved were The Family of the North and The First Command of the Capital. Shockingly, the riot resulted in the torture and decapitation of 56 inmates.
5. Uribana Prison, Venezuela
According to a report published in Insight Crime, in 2013, a riot broke out at Uribana prison in Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of at least 61 inmates. The tragic event underscored the overcrowding and deteriorating conditions in Venezuelan prisons, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent future violence and loss of life.
4. Carandiru Penitentiary, Brazil
Carandiru Penitentiary in São Paulo, Brazil is at number 4 in our list of worst prisons in the world. It was the site of a notorious prison riot in 1992. 111 inmates were killed during a police intervention to control the unrest. This tragic event highlighted severe issues within Brazil’s prison system, including overcrowding and brutal conditions, and led to widespread criticism and calls for reform.
3. Diyarbakir Prison, Turkey
One of the highest security prisons is Diyarbakir Prison, built in 1980 in Turkey. This prison became notorious after the 1980 coup and that’s what made it a part of the most dangerous prisons in the world.
Used as a martial law military prison, it targeted Kurds, subjecting them to torture for assimilation. As of now, due to the unsanitary conditions and torture in prisons, 299 people have died while incarcerated. Testimonies revealed horrific abuses like electric shocks and rape. Today, the prison continues with human rights violations, earning notoriety.
2. Gitarama Prison, Rwanda
The Daily Star reports that Gitarama, the most crowded prison in the world, houses over 7,000 prisoners in a space meant for 400. Most inmates are suspects in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Due to extreme overcrowding, prisoners stand barefoot on filthy ground, leading to severe infections and amputations. In 1995 alone, over 1,000 men died from these conditions.
1. Camp 22, North Korea
Camp 22 in North Korea, is ranked number 1 in our list of 26 Most Dangerous Prisons In The World. Also known as Hoeryong Concentration Camp, this camp is notorious for its severe human rights abuses.
Housing around 50,000 prisoners, confines political dissidents and their families. Inmates face brutal conditions, including forced labor, torture, and starvation.
1500-2000 people die only from malnutrition every year. Human rights organizations have highlighted the camp’s extreme violations, but access and information remain limited due to North Korea’s secrecy and isolation.
