Prisons serve the purpose of rehabilitating offenders while protecting society by removing dangerous individuals. 

However, some prisons around the world fall far short of this goal, becoming environments of extreme suffering and neglect. 

These are the worst prisons in the world, and are infamous for overcrowding, violence, and severe human rights abuses. 

Rather than focusing on rehabilitation, these prisons are characterised by harsh conditions, lack of basic necessities, and rampant violence, often making them dangerous for both inmates and staff. 

In this article, we’ll explore ten of the worst prisons in the world, each known for conditions that bring international criticism and highlight the need for prison reform.

10. Mumbai Central Jail, India

Mumbai Central Jail, also known as Arthur Road Jail, is one of India’s oldest and most overcrowded prisons. It is notorious for its poor living conditions and inadequate facilities, and is why it is number 10 in the list of the worst prisons in the world. 

Originally built to hold around 800 inmates, the prison now houses over 2,000, leading to severe overcrowding. 

Inmates are often crammed into small, poorly ventilated cells, creating unhygienic conditions that contribute to the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Food and sanitation facilities are minimal, with reports suggesting that inmates have limited access to clean water and are given inadequate meals. 

Medical care is similarly lacking; with limited access to doctors and medicines, many inmates suffer without proper treatment.

Violence is also prevalent in Mumbai Central Jail. 

In 2015, a series of violent incidents highlighted the lack of security within the facility, including fights between rival inmate groups that led to injuries and even fatalities. 

Allegations of corruption have surfaced over the years, with guards and staff sometimes accepting bribes to allow contraband and provide special privileges to certain inmates, further destabilising the prison environment. 

These harsh conditions make Mumbai Central Jail one of the worst prisons globally, underscoring the need for serious reforms.

9. Mendoza Prison, Argentina

Mendoza Prison in Argentina is notorious for its appalling conditions, extreme overcrowding, and lack of basic necessities, making it one of the worst prisons in the world. 

Originally designed to hold only a few hundred inmates, the prison now accommodates over three times its intended capacity, leading to severe overcrowding. 

Cells built to hold four inmates sometimes house over 20, forcing many to sleep on floors with barely any space.

Living conditions in Mendoza Prison are grim, with limited access to clean water and sanitation. 

Inmates often have to go days without showers, and food supplies are inadequate, leading to malnutrition. 

In 2005, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights highlighted the prison’s inhumane conditions, citing overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and the lack of medical care as critical issues that violate basic human rights.

Reports of violence and human rights abuses are common. 

Guards often lack adequate training, which leads to frequent clashes and mistreatment of inmates. 

Prisoners have little protection from gang violence within the facility, creating a constant atmosphere of fear and insecurity. 

These conditions make Mendoza Prison notorious worldwide, exemplifying the severe challenges in Argentina’s prison system that demand urgent attention and reform.

8. ADX Florence, USA

ADX Florence in Colorado, USA, is often called the ‘Alcatraz of the Rockies’ due to its reputation as one of the harshest, most difficult and worst prisons in the world. 

Known for housing the most dangerous criminals, including high-profile terrorists and violent offenders, ADX Florence is an ultra-maximum-security prison designed to minimise human interaction and prevent escape.

The facility’s design is focused on isolating inmates almost entirely. 

Prisoners spend 23 hours a day in small, concrete cells with limited natural light, only able to view the sky through a small slit in the wall. 

The lack of human interaction and sensory deprivation has led to severe psychological impacts on inmates, with many reportedly developing mental health issues. 

In 2012, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of mentally ill inmates, arguing that the extreme isolation constituted inhumane treatment. 

Some former inmates report experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, and depression due to long-term solitary confinement. 

Even outdoor exercise is restricted to individual, cage-like enclosures, allowing minimal physical movement.

ADX Florence has been criticised by human rights advocates, who argue that the conditions here violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, contributing to its grim international reputation.

7. Bang Kwang Central Prison, Thailand

Bang Kwang Central Prison, known as the ‘Bangkok Hilton’, is infamous for its overcrowded conditions, harsh treatment, and lack of basic amenities. 

Located in Nonthaburi, Thailand, this maximum-security prison houses some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, including many on death row. 

Prisoners are kept in cramped cells, often with as many as 50 inmates sharing a space designed for far fewer, leading to poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

The prison is notorious for its gruelling conditions, where inmates face severe restrictions. 

For the first three months, many prisoners are shackled in heavy leg irons, a practice intended to prevent escape but criticised as inhumane by human rights organisations. 

Food is also scarce, and many inmates rely on family members or charity donations to supplement their inadequate meals. 

Medical care is minimal, with reports of untreated illnesses and infections being common due to overcrowding and limited facilities.

Bang Kwang gained international attention when Amnesty International highlighted the inhumane treatment of prisoners, particularly for death row inmates who face constant uncertainty about their execution dates. 

The oppressive environment, combined with overcrowding and neglect, has earned Bang Kwang a notorious reputation globally, cementing its position as one of the harshest prisons in the world.

6. Butyrka Prison, Russia

Butyrka Prison in Moscow, Russia, has long been notorious for its appalling conditions and history of mistreatment. 

Originally built in the 17th century, Butyrka is one of Russia’s oldest and most overcrowded prisons, housing far more inmates than its intended capacity. 

Cells designed to hold ten prisoners are often packed with as many as 100 inmates, creating dire living conditions with almost no space to move. 

This extreme overcrowding leads to poor sanitation and the rapid spread of diseases, particularly tuberculosis, which has been a persistent issue within Butyrka.

Medical treatment for inmates is limited, and the prison’s unsanitary conditions exacerbate health problems. 

Inmates frequently report infestations of rats and insects, lack of ventilation, and poor lighting, contributing to the unbearable environment. 

Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Butyrka for its inhumane treatment of prisoners, including reports of physical abuse and torture by guards. 

In 2009, the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky while in custody brought international attention to Butyrka. 

He suffered due to inadequate medical care and alleged mistreatment, sparking outrage and calls for prison reform.

The ongoing reports of violence, disease, and inhumane conditions have solidified Butyrka’s position as one of the world’s most infamous prisons, exemplifying the harsh conditions within Russia’s penal system.

5. Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya

Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, located in Nairobi, Kenya, is infamous for its overcrowding, poor sanitation, and reports of inmate abuse, marking it as one of the worst prisons in the world. 

Conditions at Kamiti are marked by inadequate food and water supplies, with meals often consisting of low-nutrition staples like maize porridge. 

Inmates frequently suffer from malnutrition and related illnesses due to these inadequate rations. 

Disease is rampant, particularly respiratory infections and skin conditions, worsened by the lack of medical care. 

Kamiti’s sanitation facilities are insufficient, forcing many prisoners to live in unsanitary conditions that further spread disease.

Kamiti is known for reports of corruption and violence within its walls. 

Guards have been implicated in physical abuse of inmates, and some prisoners report bribery as a requirement for basic services or leniency. 

The prison has also faced scrutiny following several high-profile cases of inmate torture. 

These severe conditions make Kamiti a challenging place of confinement and exemplify the pressing issues within Kenya’s prison system.

4. Muhanga Correctional Facility, Rwanda

Muhanga Correctional Facility in Rwanda, originally known as Gitarama Prison, is notorious for its harsh and overcrowded conditions, placing it among the worst prisons in the world. 

Prisoners are often forced to sleep standing or crouching due to a lack of space, with many suffering from chronic injuries and ailments due to cramped quarters.

Sanitation and hygiene at Muhanga are severely compromised by overcrowding, leading to frequent outbreaks of disease. 

Conditions often lack basic facilities, forcing inmates to use communal latrines that quickly become overwhelmed. 

This lack of cleanliness has led to widespread skin infections, respiratory illnesses, and waterborne diseases that spread easily among the dense inmate population.

The prison’s overcrowding stems partly from Rwanda’s response to the 1994 genocide, where thousands of suspects were incarcerated, placing immense strain on the prison system. 

Though Rwanda has made some reforms, Muhanga remains an example of the prison system’s inability to cope with high numbers and poor resources. 

Inmates have little access to healthcare or adequate food, leading to malnutrition and suffering. These dire conditions and overcrowding continue to draw attention to Muhanga as one of the most challenging prison environments globally.

3. Diyarbakır Prison, Turkey

Diyarbakır Prison in Turkey is infamous for its extreme conditions and brutal history of human rights abuses, making it one of the worst prisons in the world. 

Built in 1980, this prison has housed political prisoners, including many Kurdish activists, who were often targeted for advocating minority rights. 

During the 1980s, Diyarbakır gained a notorious reputation for its harsh treatment of inmates. 

Many prisoners endured systematic torture, including beatings, sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse, in an effort to suppress political dissent.

The conditions within Diyarbakır remain severe, with reports of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. 

Inmates frequently suffer from malnutrition due to poor-quality food, and diseases spread rapidly due to unsanitary conditions. 

The prison has also been known for its high levels of violence, both among inmates and from guards, who allegedly use force to maintain control.

In 2016, following an attempted coup in Turkey, the government cracked down on political opposition, further straining the prison’s capacity. 

Diyarbakır housed many of those detained during this period, exacerbating the existing issues of overcrowding and poor treatment. 

As of November 2024 the prison is in the midst of being remodelled into a museum, and will no longer function as a prison.

2. Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, Cuba

Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, located on the southeastern coast of Cuba, is one of the most infamous prisons worldwide. 

Established in 2002 as part of the U.S. government’s response to the September 11 attacks, the camp was meant to house suspected terrorists. 

However, it quickly became controversial for its harsh treatment of detainees, often held without formal charges or due process. 

Reports of interrogation techniques including waterboarding, stress positions, and sleep deprivation have raised global outcry. 

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned these practices as forms of torture.

The camp’s indefinite detention policies, where prisoners are held for years without trials, have also drawn severe criticism. 

For instance, some detainees were held for over a decade without a conviction or even charges. 

Mental health issues among inmates have been widely reported due to prolonged isolation and uncertainty, and hunger strikes are common among detainees protesting their conditions.

Despite attempts by successive U.S. administrations to close the facility, legal and political challenges have kept it operational, with a reduced but still-present detainee population. 

Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp remains controversial, symbolising human rights abuses and legal grey areas in the fight against terrorism, earning it its notorious reputation.

1. Ciudad Barrios Prison, El Salvador

Ciudad Barrios Prison in El Salvador is notorious for its extreme overcrowding, violence, and harsh conditions, making it one of the worst prisons in the world. 

Originally built to hold around 800 inmates, the prison now houses well over 3,000 people, most of whom are members of the violent MS-13 gang. 

This overwhelming population density contributes to frequent outbreaks of violence among inmates, with guards struggling to maintain control. 

In fact, MS-13 members often govern the prison themselves, leading to a chaotic and hostile environment.

Conditions inside Ciudad Barrios are severe, with inadequate sanitation, poor ventilation, and limited access to clean water and food. 

Inmates live in cramped quarters, which has led to the spread of diseases like tuberculosis and skin infections. 

Basic medical care is scarce, and injuries from frequent gang-related violence often go untreated.

Due to the power held by MS-13 within the prison, Ciudad Barrios essentially operates as a stronghold for the gang, where gang leaders continue to direct criminal operations on the outside. 

This dangerous combination of overcrowding, lack of control, and gang dominance has turned Ciudad Barrios into an environment ruled by violence and fear, making it the number one worst prison in the world.

Conclusion

That was the 10 worst prisons in the world. 

The worst prisons in the world show the harsh realities faced by inmates worldwide. 

From overcrowding to violence and lack of basic amenities, these facilities present some of the most inhumane conditions imaginable. 

Each of these prisons faces unique challenges, whether it’s gang control, lack of resources, or political abuse. 

Understanding these conditions highlights the need for reform and improved human rights in prison systems globally.