The Most Terrifying Prisons on Earth

Step inside the world's most terrifying prisons as we count down from the least to the most nightmarish penal institutions on Earth. These prisons are known for their brutal conditions, extreme overcrowding, and the sheer psychological and physical torment endured by inmates. We begin with San Quentin State Prison, one of the most infamous in the United States, known for its death row and violent history. Next, we venture into San Pedro Prison in Bolivia, a lawless facility where inmates govern themselves, creating a chaotic and dangerous environment. Bang Kwang Central Prison, also called the "Bangkok Hilton," is notorious for its shackled prisoners and inhumane conditions. CECOT, El Salvador’s ultra-secure mega-prison, is a new addition to the list, housing thousands of gang members in complete isolation. As we move up the list, Rikers Island in New York has a reputation for inmate violence, gang activity, and poor oversight. Black Dolphin Prison in Russia houses the country’s most dangerous criminals under constant surveillance, forcing prisoners into extreme regimens of discipline and isolation. The ADX Florence Supermax in the U.S. is designed to break its inmates mentally, keeping them in solitary confinement 23 hours a day. Diyarbakir Prison in Turkey has a long history of political imprisonment, psychological torment, and torture. Near the top, Antananarivo Prison in Madagascar is one of the most overcrowded and unsanitary in the world, with inmates left to starve and fend for themselves. Finally, at number one, Camp 14 in North Korea is the most terrifying of them all, functioning as a modern-day concentration camp where generations of families are imprisoned, forced into hard labor, and subjected to unimaginable cruelty. These prisons are more than just detention centers—they are places where survival is a daily battle. Stay tuned as we explore the darkest corners of the world’s most feared prisons. 0:00 10 - San Quentin State Prison 1:14 9 - San Pedro Prison 3:01 8 - Bang Kwang Central Prison 4:45 7 - CECOT 6:09 6 - Rikers Island 7:24 5 - Black Dolphin Prison 8:43 4 - ADX Florence 10:16 3 - Diyarbakir Prison 11:35 2 - Antananarivo Prison 13:15 1 - Camp 14