A series that contrasts, compares and illustrates the differences between various correctional facilities and their methods of rehabilitation, PRISONS OF THE WORLD traverses the globe to find examples of the most unique, notorious, historical and peculiar jails ever built and the philosophy behind each one. Beyond that, the series is a comparison of differing values, law systems and the philosophies of societies as well as their treatment of the incarcerated.
New York State – The notorious Sing Sing Prison where 25% of the 2,500 inmates are serving sentences for murder.
Seattle, Washington – NcNeil Island Prisons which feature two very different levels of security but both requiring labor intensive programs consisting of 16-hour workdays.
Nova Scotia, Canada – Nova Scotia Youth Center in Halifax which is hailed as one of the most respected and modern youth detention facilities in the world.
Rome, Italy – Rebbibia Prison is actually a “judicial city” where guards do not brandish weapons or other disciplinary tools.
Baden-Wunthenberg, Germany – Adelsheim Jail is an enormous juvenile detention center for both Germans and foreigners focusing on vocational training.
Lantau Island, Hong Kong – Sa Cui Penitentiary is very similar to a boot camp where prisoners serve their sentences according to strict military order and discipline.
San Francisco, California & Robben Island, South Africa – Two of the world’s most famous island prisons. The inescapable Alcatraz is now a tourist attraction and Robben Island (located off the coast of Cape Town) where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years, is now a normal community where former political prisoners and ex-guards live & work side by side.
Hungary – Veszprem, the last operational castle prison in Hungary is compared to Kecskemet, a former Soviet military barracks that has been transformed to one of the most modern prisons in the country.
Finland & Austria – Kerava Juvenile Prison outside Helsinki and Gerasdorf Prison in Austria focus on the rehabilitation of their inmates through vocational education and work in a minimum security environment.
Manila, The Philippines – Manila’s Bilibid Prison is a city within a city with one of the world’s highest death row population – 1018 prisoners are awaiting their execution.
Egypt – In Alkanter Women’s Prison near Cairo and Alexandria’s Men’s Prison punishment is based on the Muslim religion according to Sharia. While the punishment is severe at times, the lifestyle is surprisingly open – At the women’s prison, children can even live with their mothers.
Australia – Long Bay Jail in New South Wales and the Emu Plains Women’s Prison serve as examples of the unique penal system practiced in this country.
Itauna, Brazil – The Itauna City Prison is unique in that it is overseen by the Roman Catholic Administration – Inmates cook for themselves and are constantly improving the state of this facility.
Israel – The Tzalmon and Hermon Penitentiaries are full of underworld figures and mafia bosses who work outside the prison walls for rehabilitation and must pay for the cost of their stay in Jail.
San Francisco, Japan and Australia – Three “in-home detention” and other minor offense incarceration systems are compared in this episode.
Japan – Fichus Prison near Tokyo, Japan’s largest prison, features an extremely controlled environment where all prisoners are kept under close scrutiny and monitoring, but are also made to work or learn a trade.
Indonesia – Shukamishkin Prison, founded in 1918, was originally a facility for intellectual prisoners who fought for independence against the Dutch. Tangerant Women’s Prison allows children to stay with their inmate mothers.
Texas – Bryan’s Women’s Federal Prison features a tough and exhausting women’s boot camp program designed to strengthen inmates both physically and mentally.
Ricker’s Island, New York State – One of the world’s largest island prisons, Ricker’s Island is home to a variety of criminals and a host of rehabilitation programs to fit different inmates.
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