The World’s Most Secure Prisons

When it comes to the biggest offenders among humanity, regular prisons simply won’t do. Concrete walls with minimal windows and sunlight, hidden cameras and a heavily-guarded perimeter makes the chances of a successful jailbreak slim to none. If this sounds a bit too extreme, just remember that these extremely heavily-guarded prisons are reserved for the worst of the worst. \r \r 1. ADX Florence (aka the Alcatraz of the Rockies)\r \r Even if you’d managed to break out of the ADX Florence, there’d be nowhere for them to go. That’s because it’s built into the side of a mountain, literally. Also your chances of escaping are slim to none because you’ll be in near-solitary confinement for a full 23 hours a day. And don’t even bother trying to strike up a conversation with your next-door neighbor because the soundproof concrete cells would make it impossible for them to hear you. The only so-called privilege you’ll receive is exercise time alone and in a cage.\r \r 2. Mumbai Central Prison (aka Arthur Road Jail)\r \r If you thought the ADX Florence was bad then take a look at the Mumbai Central Prison. As of 2020, their inmates are numbered to be over 2,000, way past their max capacity. Because of this, prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor and the place is riddled with disease including dengue fever. In fact, it’s so bad that solitary confinement is actually a bit of a blessing and some inmates are even willing to pay for the upgrade. The dark windows and poor ventilation certainly adds to their discomfort, as well as the courtyard that offers not a single glimpse of the sky.\r \r 3. Centro Federal de Readaptación Social Número 1 (aka Altiplano)\r \r In Mexico, their top criminal masterminds are held at the Altiplano, a 26 hectares with armed guards, checkpoints, towers and even battle tanks all over their perimeter. It’s also located in the middle of nowhere, and not even a cell phone signal can be found for several miles. Even though the prison is well-secured, there have been a few escapes, all by the same person: the infamous El Chapo. With the help of shady workers and his men, El Chapo managed to slip out of the complex a total of three times: first in 2001, then 2014 and again in 2015.\r \r 4. HMP Belmarsh (aka Hellmarsh)\r \r The HMP Belmarsh was London’s first new prison since Victorian times, built in 1991 on an archaeologically important marshland. The prison’s population is considered to be mixed, ranging from high-risk to no-risk inhabitants. But the reason why HMP Belmarsh is included in this list is the dreaded “jail within a jail,” an escape-proof High Security Unit reserved specially for spies, paramilitants and much more. The chances of guards accepting bribes are low as they are subjected to pat-down searches and airport-style security on their way through the “air-lock” to work.\r \r 5. Fuchu Prison\r \r For the Japanese, the Fuchu Prison is one of the worst places to serve time. Though, instead of relying on high-tech security, Fuchu prison officers keep their inmates in check through bizarre psychological tactics. For instance, talking is kept to a minimum, even during visits, and don’t you dare even think of looking up during meal times. There’s even a chart in your cell which determines how you must sit. Not to mention the 44 hours of weekly mandatory labor. Break these rules, and you will be sitting on the floor of a cell by yourself, 10 hours a day, sometimes for months at a time.