The world is home to several large and infamous prisons, some of which have been around for centuries.
The biggest prison in the world, however, is a surprising choice, and not many people are aware of its existence.
We will now delve into the history of the biggest prison in the world, and present some interesting facts about it.
What is the biggest prison in the world?
The biggest prison in the world is the Kresty Prison, located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
It was built in 1893 and covers an area of 21 hectares. The prison is so large that it can hold up to 10,000 inmates at any given time.
Kresty is considered to be one of the most overcrowded prisons in the world, with inmates being forced to sleep in shifts due to the lack of space.
History of the Kresty Prison
The Kresty Prison was originally built as a detention centre for those awaiting trial in the Russian Empire.
During the Soviet era, the prison was used to hold political prisoners and dissidents. The prison gained notoriety for its brutal treatment of prisoners, with reports of torture, forced labour, and executions being common.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Kresty Prison continued to be used to hold a wide range of criminals, including drug traffickers, murderers, and thieves.
In recent years, the prison has been criticized for its poor conditions and human rights violations. Inmates have reported being subjected to beatings, overcrowding, and lack of access to medical care.
Interesting facts about Kresty Prison
- The prison has its own currency, which is used by inmates to buy food and other items from the prison commissary.
- Kresty is home to a prison museum, which showcases the history of the prison and the stories of some of its most infamous inmates.
- In 2013, a riot broke out in the prison, with inmates setting fire to their cells and demanding better conditions.
- The prison has been the subject of several documentaries and books, including “Kresty: Inside the Russian Prison” by Emmanuel Carrère.
As you have read, the prison has a long and storied history, having been used to hold everyone from political dissidents to drug traffickers.
Despite its size, the prison has been criticized for its poor conditions and human rights violations. Nevertheless, Kresty remains a fascinating and intriguing place, and one that has captured the imagination of many writers and filmmakers over the years.
Feature Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay