Worsts prisons to ever exist

Nelson Mandela once said that you can't truly understand a nation until you've been inside its jails. Today, we're taking that notion to a new level, going beyond nations and delving into the darkest corners of history. From ghastly ancient dungeons to eerie medieval torture chambers, let's explore some of the most horrifying prisons ever conceived, spanning from ancient times to the present day.

Mamertine Prison

In ancient Rome, life for its citizens could be harsh, but imagine the grim reality of being a prisoner under the Roman Empire. Enter Mamertine Prison, an infamous Roman facility dating back to the 7th century BC. Commissioned by the fourth king of Rome, Ancus Marcius, Mamertine comprised a network of dark, subterranean dungeons. The most notorious of these was the Tullianum, a nightmarish pit located within the city's sewer system. Accessible only through a small hole in the upper floor, prisoners were thrown into this abysmal chamber to await their fate. With no means of escape, the conditions were brutal. Although long-term imprisonment wasn't common in Rome—incarceration was generally a temporary measure before trial or execution—some renowned figures like Saints Peter and Paul are said to have spent time here before their crucifixion. Mamertine Prison remained in use until the 4th century AD and is now a museum next to the Roman Forum, with tributes to its notable past inhabitants.

Oblets

Medieval prisoners often faced horrific fates, and among the most torturous were the oblets, or "bottle dungeons." These narrow shafts, sometimes built into castle walls, were designed to trap victims in a space so small that they could only escape through a nearly unreachable trapdoor. The oblets' name derives from the French word "obler," meaning "to forget," reflecting the cruel intent to let prisoners slowly die while being abandoned. These dungeons were often found filled with the remains of previous victims and infested with rats. One of the most infamous oblets is located in Ireland's Leap Castle, historically occupied by the O'Carroll clan. When the Derby family took over the castle in 1649, they discovered the oblet packed with wooden spikes and the remains of previous prisoners. Legend has it that these grim findings stirred vengeful spirits that haunt Leap Castle to this day.

Gibbet

While many prisons kept their inmates out of sight, the gibbet was a form of public imprisonment. The condemned were placed in a human-shaped cage and displayed for public view. Most gibbets contained executed individuals, but occasionally, live prisoners were subjected to this brutal punishment. In the 1600s, a notorious vagrant in England was gibbeted alive at Gibbet Moor, where he succumbed to starvation, dehydration, and exposure. His ghostly screams were said to be heard by hikers in the area. Although live gibbeting is rare in historical records, it was practiced in the British Caribbean as late as the 1760s. Gibbets served as both a deterrent and a macabre form of entertainment, attracting large crowds and forcing nearby residents to shut their windows to avoid the stench. The practice was officially abolished in England in 1834, but disused gibbet posts still stand as grim reminders of its past.

The Clink

The Clink Prison in London, established in the mid-12th century, earned a notorious reputation for its harsh conditions. Built by the Bishop of Winchester, Henry of Blois, on the South Bank of the River Thames, the Clink became infamous for overcrowding, disease, and malnutrition. Prisoners were subjected to brutal treatment by underpaid jailers and often resorted to bribery to obtain basic necessities like food and bedding. Among its notable inmates was Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, who was imprisoned there for staging a failed uprising against Queen Mary I in 1554. The Clink continued to operate for 600 years, imprisoning many, including Puritans who later settled in Massachusetts. The prison was destroyed by rioters in 1780, and today, the Clink Museum stands on its site, preserving its grim legacy.

Iron Maiden

The Iron Maiden, often depicted as a human-sized box lined with spikes, is one of the most infamous torture devices. Victims would be forced inside, with the door closing on them and impaling them on the spikes. While the Iron Maiden is widely known, historians debate its authenticity as a medieval torture device. The first historical mention came from German philosopher Johann Philipp Cines in the 18th century, describing a coin forger's demise in 1515. However, no authentic medieval Iron Maidens have been found, casting doubt on their historical existence. Nonetheless, replicas were created and exhibited in museums across Europe and the United States, adding to the device's chilling reputation.

These historical prisons reflect a grim past where cruelty and suffering were used to enforce control and punish transgressions. As we look back, we gain a deeper understanding of how far humanity has come in its approach to justice and punishment.