It is often said in the Netherlands that the prisons there can be compared to a hotel, but the most special prisons in the world will surprise you! We have looked up and compared the most special prisons in the world. Let’s stop keeping you in suspense and just go straight to the story.

Most special prisons in the world

Aranjuez, Spain

In Spain, Aranjuez is a Prison that is actually not a prison at all to the innocent eye. Criminals with a family are given the opportunity to stay here with their partner and child(ren). The walls are completely decorated with Disney characters, and there is a playground for the children. The purpose of this is to hide the fact from the children that their parents are in prison as long as possible.

Halden, Norway

Halden is a harsh prison in Norway where criminals from all over the world are sent. What’s special about this prison? Despite the fact that serious criminals are imprisoned here, the guards here have no weapons. This aims to make the prison feel like a community rather than us versus them. The prison is fairly new and has only been in existence since 2010. Activities such as sports, music, and more are regularly organized here to simulate life outside the prison.

Penal De Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador

Maybe you’ve heard of this prison before, but we wanted to talk about it anyway. This is the prison where sometimes as many as 30 inmates sleep pressed together on a few square meters. The Prisoners even make hammocks so they can sleep on top of each other. Initially, it was intended that prisoners would not stay more than 72 hours, but now some prisoners have been staying here for more than a year.

San Pedro, Bolivia

Normally a prison is guarded by people who have careers as a guard, but San Pedro is guarded by the police. The only function of the police is to make sure that the prisoners do not escape. Within the prison, everything is arranged by the inmates themselves. Prison leaders are often chosen through stabbings. In addition, you are not assigned a cell, but you have to buy it from other prisoners.

The most expensive cells cost about $1,500 to $1,800, but for that, you get a cell with its own bathroom, kitchen, television, and sometimes even a bubble bath. However, most prisoners sleep in a cell that is intended for one person that you share with the five of you. The prison is known for producing cocaine, which is sold to tourists. Those tourists shouldn’t be there, by the way, but a tip to the police goes a long way.

Onomichi, Japan

Due to the increasing aging population in Japan, Prisons for the elderly are becoming more and more common. Onomichi is therefore a prison especially for the elderly. The prison takes into account its inmates with all kinds of handrails to help them move and soft food that they can easily eat. They also have the opportunity to knit and sew.