Ever since the dawn of civilization, mankind has used laws to keep order among groups of people. When the laws were broken, punishments were the result. While in some time periods and some regions, punishment is just another word for execution, as societies evolved, they conceived of another way of dealing with things - prisons. The earliest prisoners could be said to have been slaves, without true confinement for the purpose of rehabilitation. As the notion progressed, buildings dedicated to the purpose of holding criminals were made. These were very unpleasant places, usually little more than stone rooms where people slowly died. If you were a political prisoner you might be kept well enough to survive, but even that wasn’t a guarantee that the drafty, damp conditions wouldn’t give you some fatal sickness. Eventually, the notion of true rehabilitation would emerge and the modern prison would be born. Some of these older prisons are no longer in use and have since become tourist attractions, telling the story of how things were one or two-hundred years ago. Here is a list of six famous prisons from various places in the world, each with its own bit of history.
Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was a model of modern jail building for its time. It was, in fact, the most expensive prison in the world back then, incorporating such modern conveniences as running water and flushing toilets. Perhaps best known as the home of Al Capone for a time (you can even visit his restored cell), the prison would be shut down in 1971, falling into decay until 1994 when it was re-opened for public tours. Today, in addition to tours, the prison hosts art installations and every Halloween puts on Terror Behind the Walls, a haunted house event.
Alcatraz Island - San Francisco, California
Perhaps the most well-known of all U.S. prisons, the island fortress of Alcatraz is commonly known as “The Rock” due to the barren island’s lack of life and vegetation. It was first used as a military fortress to protect the prosperous San Francisco during the Gold Rush and titled FortAlcatraz. During the 1860s, its function shifted to also include being a prison. It would take on the mantle of one of the harshest prisons in the country when in 1934 it was finally converted into a maximum security prison, housing the worst of the worst. Eventually, expenses would become too high, the prisoners moved to other locations and the prison itself shut down in 1963. In 1972, it was designated a national park and today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in California, bringing in more than a million people each year.
Fort JesusMuseum - Mombasa Island, Kenya
Built by the Portuguese as a fort in 1593, FortJesus would be converted into a prison following the establishment of British rule in the region in 1895. This function continued until 1958 when it was shut down. Recognizing its historical value, the prison was re-opened in 1962, this time as a museum. Today, you can go there to see a grand display of the country’s archaeological artifacts as well as tour the old fort complex. Three times a week they also put on a light and sound show, a way of conveying the importance of Fort Jesus in the history of Kenya.
Port Arthur - Tasmania, Australia
The prison colony of Port Arthur was first established in 1833, built to house the worst criminals in Australia along with anyone thought to be a political dissident. Not to discriminate, all repeat offenders were sent here, some of them as young as nine years old. It was designed, as many prisons were at the time, to use solitary confinement as a form of rehabilitation. This turned out to be bad, as the inmates ended up going insane instead. Conveniently, an asylum was located next to the prison. The prison would eventually be closed down in 1877 and left to rot, several of the buildings torn down or destroyed by fires. In 1979, the historic value of the site was recognized and today it has become the biggest tourist draw on Tasmania.
Kilmainham Gaol - Dublin, Ireland
Built in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol is a prison with a long and rich history in the politics of Ireland. Many famous political prisoners were housed here and several others were executed here. Men, women and children were all kept in the same place. It was finally closed down in 1924 and today remains the largest unoccupied prison in the country. Now a museum, many exhibits within the prison walls show the political history and tell the stories of the many leaders who were once held there.
Hoa Lo Prison - Hanoi, Vietnam
Though located in Hanoi, Vietnam, Hoa Lo Prison was first built under another name in 1886, by the French occupiers in control of the country. It acted as a place to hold political prisoners for a time though later, once the Vietnam War started, it became the final destination for downed American pilots. Unfortunately, most of the prison was torn down in 1997 for land development. Now, all that remains is the gatehouse, converted to a museum and detailing the history of its time as a French prison as well as its role in the Vietnam War.
Leavenworth Penitentiary courtesy of Americasroof via Wikicommons
Eastern State Penitentiary courtesy of Adam Jones via Wikicommons
Alcatraz aerial courtesy of druchoy via Wikicommons
FortJesus courtesy of Chris huh via Wikicommons
Port Arthur courtesy of Andrew Braithwaite via Wikicommons
Kilmainham Gaol courtesy of Raymond Okonski via Wikicommons
Hoa Lo courtesy of US Military via Wikicommons
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