The Isla de los Alcatraces (Isle of the Pelicans), as Juan Manuel de Ayala, the Spanish explorer, named it in 1775, or Alcatraz Island as we know it today.
10 famous prisons: 1. Alcatraz, United States —
The Isla de los Alcatraces (Isle of the Pelicans), as Juan Manuel de Ayala, the Spanish explorer, named it in 1775, or Alcatraz Island as we know it today.
Bruce Holmes/CNN/File
Cell 181 is clearly marked as being once occupied by Al Capone, prisoner number 85.
1. Alcatraz, United States —
Cell 181 is clearly marked as being once occupied by Al Capone, prisoner number 85.
Bruce Holmes/CNN
Grim view inside Old Melbourne Gaol.
2. Old Melbourne Gaol, Australia —
Grim view inside Old Melbourne Gaol.
Bruce Holmes/CNN
Death mask of Ned Kelly, displayed at Old Melbourne Gaol.
2. Old Melbourne Gaol, Australia —
Death mask of Ned Kelly, displayed at Old Melbourne Gaol.
Bruce Holmes/CNN
Breaking in, not breaking out. The jungle encroaches upon the abandoned cells on Ile St. Joseph, French Guiana.
3. Devil's Island, French Guiana —
Breaking in, not breaking out. The jungle encroaches upon the abandoned cells on Ile St. Joseph, French Guiana.
courtesy of Tom Parrott/Journey Latin America
Stepping inside. Visitors can venture inside the abandoned cells on Ile St. Joseph, French Guiana.
3. Devil's Island, French Guiana —
Stepping inside. Visitors can venture inside the abandoned cells on Ile St. Joseph, French Guiana.
courtesy of Tom Parrott/Journey Latin America
Oxford Castle and the Saxon St. George's Tower.
4. Oxford Castle, England —
Oxford Castle and the Saxon St. George's Tower.
Courtesy of Oxford Castle Unlocked
The Debtor's Tower and gate.
4. Oxford Castle, England —
The Debtor's Tower and gate.
Courtesy of Oxford Castle Unlocked
How it was -- the harsh reality of Horsens State Prison in Denmark.
5. Horsens State Prison, Denmark —
How it was -- the harsh reality of Horsens State Prison in Denmark.
Courtesy of FÆNGSLET
Now open year round, a tour of the 1829 Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia explores the Gothic-like architecture and its role as a leader in penal reform.
6. Eastern State Penitentiary, United States —
Now open year round, a tour of the 1829 Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia explores the Gothic-like architecture and its role as a leader in penal reform.
Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC
Using the audio tour, visitors explore the haunting and crumbling building and listen as former guards and inmates describe life at Eastern State Penitentiary.
6. Eastern State Penitentiary, United States —
Using the audio tour, visitors explore the haunting and crumbling building and listen as former guards and inmates describe life at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Photo by J. Fusco for Eastern State Penitentiary
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site.
8. Port Arthur, Australia —
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site.
Courtesy of TTAS & Peter Luxton
A mural by a Russian artist adorns the walls of a cell at Hostel Celica.
9. Hostel Celica, Slovenia —
A mural by a Russian artist adorns the walls of a cell at Hostel Celica.
Courtesy of Hostel Celica
Refurbished prison cells provide modern accommodation at the Hostel Celica.
9. Hostel Celica, Slovenia —
Refurbished prison cells provide modern accommodation at the Hostel Celica.
Courtesy of Hostel Celica
Hard labor at Robben Island for maximum security prisoners like Nelson Mandela meant breaking rocks like these from the face of the limestone quarry.
10. Robben Island, South Africa —
Hard labor at Robben Island for maximum security prisoners like Nelson Mandela meant breaking rocks like these from the face of the limestone quarry.
Courtesy of Tourism South Africa
Photograph of former Robben Island prisoners. Ahmed Kathrada, senior ANC leader and close friend of Nelson Mandela during their time in prison, said on their release, "We want Robben Island to reflect the triumph of freedom and human dignity over oppression and humiliation."
10. Robben Island, South Africa —
Photograph of former Robben Island prisoners. Ahmed Kathrada, senior ANC leader and close friend of Nelson Mandela during their time in prison, said on their release, "We want Robben Island to reflect the triumph of freedom and human dignity over oppression and humiliation."
Courtesy of Tourism South Africa