Many of the world’s most dangerous prisons suffer from extreme overcrowding, leading to dire living conditions for inmates. In some facilities, inmates sleep in hammocks, on the floor, or in cramped bunks. Due to limited space, individuals are forced into extremely close quarters, often within cells meant to hold far fewer people. In Quezon City Jail, for instance, two cells measuring 35 square meters each house 80 boys, with minimal amenities. These young inmates are packed tightly, deprived of basic necessities such as sufficient ventilation, clean facilities, and even personal space.
In other prisons, such as Pelican Bay in the United States, conditions can be equally harsh, though overcrowding is not the primary concern. Instead, the isolation of prisoners in solitary confinement and the denial of human contact for extended periods have been linked to severe psychological issues. Prisoners confined to these conditions describe long days without meaningful human interaction, causing them to struggle with mental health challenges. This psychological impact of solitary confinement compounds the trauma they face daily in these facilities.
Hygiene and Health Issues
Poor hygiene and health standards plague many prisons worldwide. For example, in some cells, urine containers are a necessity, with inmates forced to throw waste out the back of the cell. When it comes to bathing, access to showers is rare, and prisoners must adapt to using limited and unsanitary facilities. Over time, these practices contribute to widespread diseases, including lice infestations and other infections.
In some facilities, extreme heat exacerbates the problem. With temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius, the limited fans provided merely blow hot air onto prisoners, offering no relief. In these settings, prisons lack basic sanitation, with areas coated in urine stains, and hygiene standards often fall to the inmates themselves. Many are forced to bathe using makeshift means or even resort to waiting for the rare opportunity to shower in inadequate facilities.
Additionally, prisons often lack adequate medical care for contagious diseases. In Pelican Bay, for instance, 85% of inmates are hepatitis C positive. The risk of disease transmission is high due to limited healthcare and unsanitary conditions, putting both inmates and guards at risk of infection.
Violence and Abuse
Violence is prevalent in these institutions, with frequent assaults, fights, and even riots. In Quezon City Jail, sexual abuse is alarmingly common, with young offenders often sharing space with adults convicted of serious crimes. Inmates describe regular incidents of sodomy and sexual violence, creating an environment of fear and danger. Furthermore, gang violence is common in many prisons, with affiliations marked by tattoos. These symbols can make inmates targets for rival gangs or punishment from authorities.
In Pelican Bay, violence between rival gangs and racial conflicts often leads to extreme violence, including stabbings and even murders. Guards regularly discover makeshift weapons fashioned from plexiglass, metal, or plastic. These weapons are concealed in cells or even hidden on prisoners, posing a constant threat to inmates and guards. To prevent further violence, guards conduct daily searches and confiscate these dangerous items.
Punishment and Dehumanization
Prisons such as Arizona’s Maricopa County Jail, under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, enforce dehumanizing practices to humiliate inmates. Inmates are forced to wear pink underwear as a form of public shame, which is intended to discourage repeat offenses. They have limited access to hygiene supplies, with shaving cream and proper razors withheld, and their heads are shaved to reinforce their subservient status.
Arpaio’s philosophy of zero tolerance extends to forced labor and chain gangs. Inmates in chains are made to march in unison, weeding sidewalks or picking up trash. This system aims to publicly shame them, as Sheriff Arpaio intends the general public to view inmates as an example of the consequences of crime. The tough stance on discipline has often been criticized as inhumane and degrading, especially given the harsh Arizona heat in which the inmates must work.
The Role of Power and Control
In various prisons, power struggles and control mechanisms shape the daily reality for inmates. For example, in certain war-torn regions, guerrillas hold sway even within the prison walls, controlling parts of the prison and armed to enforce their authority. The need to control and dominate is pervasive; in some cases, prisons operate almost autonomously, with guards and inmates vying for control over daily operations.
The infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq became symbolic of the abuses that can occur when prison authority is unchecked. After the scandal of American soldiers torturing Iraqi detainees, Abu Ghraib has remained a haunting reminder of the violence and oppression that can occur within prison walls. Although it has since closed, it remains an emblem of the brutality and power dynamics that define the experience of prisoners in such institutions.
Coping Mechanisms and Survival Tactics
In many of these prisons, inmates develop strategies to survive and cope with the harsh conditions. Some facilities, like Fleury-Mérogis in France, are notorious for prisoners using makeshift ropes made from bed sheets to pass items between cells. Trading items like cigarettes, drugs, and even mobile phones, inmates create an underground economy to survive. Despite the daily cell searches conducted by guards, prisoners continue to find innovative ways to maintain contact with the outside world.
In Colombia’s Modelo prison, a unique project provides select inmates with an opportunity to work in a restaurant within the prison. This program serves as a rare respite for the inmates who participate, allowing them to engage in productive work and socialize in a controlled environment. It’s a stark contrast to other prisons where basic survival takes precedence over any semblance of normalcy or rehabilitation.
The Cost of Incarceration
For many, life in these prisons is marked by a profound sense of loss. Inmates lose their freedom, contact with loved ones, and often, their sense of self-worth. Long sentences and harsh conditions erode their hopes for a future beyond the prison walls. While some might hold onto memories or photos, these mementos are often reminders of a world far removed from their reality. For others, the only thing that remains is survival. As they face the brutality and bleakness of life behind bars, inmates grapple with an overwhelming feeling of despair, knowing that their futures are limited by the walls that surround them.
