Prison is a place where government keeps the criminals by separating them from the rest of the society. Criminals are those who defy the laws and goes against the political regime. From the ancient times these prisons holds the special place in the history.

Kings used to keep the criminals in those worst prisons for the time being until they are either executed or given a penalty. Now, the governments around the world are using prisons to keep the criminals either serving their time or those who are still waiting charges and sentence. Many famous figures have served into these toughest prisons like Nelson Mandela & John McCain. These prison’s not only housed notorious criminals but also served as House Of Slaves.

Few prisons came to limelight due to daring escapes, barbaric treatments or even cruelty towards the inmates. Few of those prisons are now a tourist spots. Following is a list of top 10 such infamous prisons around the world.

1. Tower of London, London

Tower of London Prison

Tower of London is a famous prison in London where few of the very famous person were kept like Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, King Henry VI, Rudolph Hess and even Catherine Howard who was the wife of King Henry VI. Ironical isn’t it. Now, it has become the home to British crown Jewels with a status of most haunted building in entire England.

2. Alcatraz, California, USA

Alcatraz Prison

Alcatraz was very famous Military & Federal prison which has now become a famous tourist spot. Alcatraz was the the first maximum security minimum privilege prison of the country. This prison is also know as The Rock which was the title of Nicholas Cage The Rock Movie.

3. Chateau d’If Prison, France

Chateau d'If prison France

Mentioned in the Book “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas, Chateau served as a prison to hold the political and religious prison. Wealthy people used to get the better treatment than the poor. This is the most famous prison of entire France.

4. Robben Island, South Africa

Robben Island Prision in South Africa

Robben Island is very famous prison in South Africa which housed famous persons like Nelson Mandela and Kgalema Motlanthe. It has become a famous tourist spots which you can see by taking a ferry from Cape Town. Even president Obama didn’t forgot to pay his homage and visit this prison along with his wife.

5. Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison, Cambodia

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Phnom Penh, Combodia

One of the most horrifying prisons in the world where more than 17,000 people were tortured, executed during the rise of Rouge Regime. Now, Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison is turned into a historical museum to remember the actions & cruelty of Khmer Rouge regime.

6. Goree Island, Senegal

Goree Island Prison, Senegal

Once house of slaves, Goree Island have seen people turned into slaves which will later sent to other countries. This prison is now turned into a museum to serves as a pilgrimage site for many African-Americans tracing their roots.

7. Elmina Castle, Ghana

Elmina Castle Prison, Ghana

Being the oldest European building, it served to house slaves who are captured to be sold to other countries. The rooms where more than 200 people were kept, there were not enough space to even lie down. History tells us that more than 30,000 slaves were kept here and later sold to other countries.

8. Hanoi Hilton, Hanoi

Hanoi Hilton Prison, Hanoi

This prison was built to keep Vietnamese prisoners who defied the French Law. The prisoners passes through extreme torture, murder and starvation. Famous figures like Senator John McCain (later ran for US presidential bid) and James Stockdale have served here as a prisoner of war.

9. Four Seasons Hotel (Sultanahmet Jail), Istanbul

Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet Jail, Istanbul

Sultanahmet Jail was built to keep intellectual dissidents and writers who defied or didn’t agreed to Ottoman Empire. Later the prisoners were transferred to Sagmalcilar prison which used to keep the military offenders. Later Sultanahmet Jail was purchased by Four Seasons and now its a Five star Hotel in Istanbul.

10. Devil’s Island, French Guiana

This is one of the infamous prison where hardened criminals and political criminals were kept in Napolean III’s reign. Many prisoners planned an escape but in vain. This prison is very well described in the movie Papillon by Dustin Hoffman.

Devils Island French Guine

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