There are over 11.5 million prisoners worldwide. All of these inmates count towards the world’s largest prison populations. Inmates on probation and in juvenile detention centers also contribute to this population.
If you’re wondering, what’s the largest prison in the world, then read on for our guide.
Notorious Riker’s Island
Notorious Rikers Island is the largest prison in the world and has a maximum capacity of 15,000 inmates. Located in the Bronx near LaGuardia Airport and the East River, the island is home to an expansive penal complex.
It consists of ten jails, various administrative buildings, and a power plant. Rikers Island is most properly-known for its history of violence, brutality, and corruption, much of which has been also brought to the public’s attention with the rise of media coverage.
Thus, an inmate search may help some gain insight into who’s locked up on the notorious Rikers Island. Looking up the relevant inmates may give you an idea of the typical sentences some inmates serve, as well as more information about the daily life within the prison walls.
Russia’s Kingston
The Kingston Correctional Facility is located in Russia’s Kingston. The prison was built in 1123 and it stretches across a 28-acre compound.
It is capable of housing up to 6,400 inmates. The prison is also made up of six large wings that all have their own set of various organizational tasks including:
- Offices
- Dining halls
- Medical facilities
- Recreational areas
The design of the prison is built around a central circle, known as the prison yard. The yard is what the inmates use to take part in physical activities, socialize, and go about their daily lives.
There are also cell blocks located on the outer rim of the circular prison that is guarded by armed officers. The Kingston Correctional Facility provides an array of educational courses, job training, and religious services to its inmates.
Louisiana State Penitentiary
The Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) has a capacity of 5,100 inmates. It’s located in West Feliciana Parish, near the town of Angola, off Highway 65.
The sprawling 18,000-acre campus is the world’s largest working prison farm and is the home to the largest educational and vocational institution for inmates in the United States. It was also leased out as a cotton farm to inmates from the late 19th century until 1940.
La Sante in Paris
Europes ALcatraz La Sante in Paris also called the Grande Sante Prison. It’s located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris and has 1377 cells.
This prison holds more than 2,400 inmates every day and can hold up to 4,000 at its peak. It’s a maximum security prison, where hardened criminals such as murderers, rapists, and gang members, serve out their sentences.
The prison is highly overcrowded, with 12 inmates in a cell, which contributes to the poor hygiene, sanitation, and healthcare standards in the facility. The prison also has a high rate of recidivism, with roughly two-thirds of people who serve a sentence returning to prison after their release.
Know the Largest Prison in the World Today
The largest prison in the world is Riker’s Island, in New York. It has set the bar for prisons of its kind and is a great example of how prisons can be used for the safety and reform of their residents.
It is crucial to invest in education and rehabilitation programs for those in need. Before making any further judgments, consider understanding the prison system further.
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