Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was the filming location for many movies after its closure as a prison. — DAN RAMEY LOGAN/Wikimedia Commons
Many former prisons around the world have been turned into museums that anyone can visit today. There’s so much to learn from these prison museums, including the history of the place and the penal system.
Here are some of the more notorious penitentiaries that are worth checking out.
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary (United States)
From 1934 to 1963, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California served as a maximum-security facility.
It was home to notorious criminals, including mobster Al Capone and murderer Robert Stroud, both of whom have been depicted in numerous films, TV shows and even novels.
In 1973, the correctional facility was converted into a museum, attracting people from all walks of life who seek to learn more about its harrowing history.
From photographs to documents, and artwork created by former inmates, the museum features a wide array of exhibits, offering glimpses into its past.
According to the US Federal Bureau Of Prisons website, Alcatraz welcomes over one million tourists annually.
To visit the popular museum, visitors must book tickets at least 90 days in advance – bookings will include boat transportation to and from the island.
Bodmin Jail Hotel (England)
Did you know that the precious Crown Jewels of England were housed at the Bodmin Jail during World War I?
In Cornwall, England’s ceremonial county, curious travellers can experience staying in the 18th-century prison, which has now been converted into Bodmin Jail Hotel.
The penitentiary was constructed during the rule of King George III as part of prison reform. Built by inmates in 1779, it provided better living conditions for prisoners before ceasing operations 148 years later.
Bodmin Jail has a dark history – public executions took place within its walls, and many travelled to witness the hangings of men convicted of rape and murder.
In 1927, the penal institution shut down. After decades of neglect, however, a portion of the prison was turned into a luxury hotel in 2021, with much of its original structure intact today.
The site is also open to visitors, who can embark on guided tours to discover the sombre past of this historic prison.
Karosta Prison (Latvia)
In contrast to Bodmin Jail, Latvia’s former Karosta Prison, now a hotel, offers a more intense experience, treating guests as if they were actual prisoners.
As part of the guided tour, guests will wear prison garb and be locked in an actual cell (or bunk with another “inmate”), where they will sleep in.
They may also be interrogated and “punished” by the guards (the hotel’s staff members) for any perceived misconduct.
Erected in 1900, the prison served multiple roles throughout its history: It was initially an infirmary before it was transformed into a military prison.
With thousands having met brutal fates at the hands of Nazis within the prison walls, the place is shrouded in haunting tales that make the experience of staying here even more surreal once darkness descends.
Robben Island (South Africa)
First discovered by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in the late 1400s, South Africa’s Robben Island has a long and complex history.
Initially used by the Dutch in the 17th century, it later evolved into a British penal colony.
From 1961 to 1996, during the apartheid era, the island became known for housing political prisoners, including well-known anti-apartheid activist and politician Nelson Mandela (South Africa’s first president), who was kept imprisoned in this place for nearly two decades out of his 27-year captivity!
Prior to its purpose as a prison, Robben Island also functioned as a military base for 29 years.
Visitors can learn about the site’s extensive past at the Robben Island Museum, which was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999.
The museum represents “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice”, as mentioned on its website.
