Weird Prison Rules That Actually Exist
The Infographics Show・19 minutes read
Sheriff Joe Arpaio enforced strict rules in Arizona prisons, including pink underpants and chain gangs, to save costs and humiliate inmates, while many US prisons have harsh restrictions on items, visitation, and reading materials. Various prisons worldwide have unique approaches, such as allowing inmates to work as gourmet chefs in Italy, resolving conflicts through boxing matches in Mexico, and promoting environmental sustainability in Norway.
Insights
- Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona implemented strict and controversial prison rules, including banning coffee, requiring inmates to wear pink underpants, and making them pay for meals, leading to accusations of humiliation and cost-saving measures.
- Various prisons worldwide exhibit diverse approaches to incarceration, ranging from extreme restrictions in supermax facilities in the US to innovative programs like family cells in Aranjuez Prison, gourmet chef opportunities in Fortezza Medicea, conflict resolution through boxing in Cereso Chetumal, and environmental sustainability initiatives in Bastoey Island, showcasing a spectrum of philosophies in penal systems.
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Recent questions
What are some unique prison programs worldwide?
Various prisons worldwide offer unique programs to inmates. For example, Aranjuez Prison in Spain allows low-risk inmates with families to live with their children in family cells to develop parenting skills. Fortezza Medicea prison in Italy lets inmates work as gourmet chefs in a high-end restaurant attached to the prison. Cereso Chetumal Prison in Mexico resolves conflicts by allowing prisoners to fight in a boxing ring with gloves and rules. Justizzentrum Leoben in Austria operates as a minimum-security prison where inmates wear their own clothes, cook their own food, and spend time in common areas. Bastoey Island Low Security Prison in Norway focuses on environmental sustainability, with inmates working on compost projects and using solar power.
What are the strict rules in US supermax prisons?
Supermax prisons in the US have the most extreme rules. Inmates spend most of their day in solitary confinement with limited activities or amenities. They have minimal contact with others and are under strict surveillance. Communication is heavily monitored, and any infractions can lead to harsh punishments. The goal of supermax prisons is to isolate dangerous inmates and maintain strict control over their behavior.
How do some prisons handle conflicts among inmates?
Some prisons have unique ways of handling conflicts among inmates. For example, Cereso Chetumal Prison in Mexico allows prisoners to resolve conflicts by fighting in a boxing ring with gloves and rules. This approach has led to a decrease in nonconsensual violence within the prison for at least ten years. By providing a controlled environment for physical confrontation, the prison aims to prevent more serious incidents and maintain order among the inmate population.
What are some restrictions on personal items in US prisons?
In US prisons, inmates face strict regulations on personal items. Possessions are often altered or confiscated, and there is limited ability to give items to others upon release. Personal items are closely monitored to prevent the smuggling of contraband or weapons. Inmates have to adhere to a list of approved items they are allowed to possess, and any unauthorized possessions are subject to confiscation. These restrictions are in place to maintain security and control within the prison environment.
How do some prisons focus on environmental sustainability?
Some prisons prioritize environmental sustainability as part of their operations. For example, Bastoey Island Low Security Prison in Norway focuses on sustainability by having inmates work on compost projects and use solar power. The prison offers activities like horseback riding and swimming to promote a connection with nature. By incorporating eco-friendly practices into daily operations, these prisons aim to reduce their environmental impact and promote a sense of responsibility towards the planet among inmates.
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Summary
00:00
Harsh Prison Rules in the US
- In Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio enforced strict prison rules, banning coffee and unrestricted television, even for those awaiting trial or serving short sentences.
- Prisoners were required to wear pink underpants, supposedly to prevent theft and for a calming effect, but many believed it was to humiliate them.
- Sheriff Joe reintroduced chain gangs and made inmates work in tent cities, cutting meals to two a day and serving soy burgers to save costs.
- In Arpaio's jails, inmates had to pay for their meals, with a serving costing 56 cents, deducted from their cash upon arrest.
- Many US prisons have harsh rules, limiting visitation, mail, and personal items like photographs, with strict regulations on what can be sent.
- Board games were banned in many US prisons due to Covid-19 concerns about shared items spreading the virus.
- Pennsylvania inmates faced a ban on all tobacco products in 2019, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, offering nicotine patches as alternatives.
- Some states restrict what prisoners can read, with thousands of books banned, and libraries are stocked by approved vendors, limiting access to reading materials.
- Inmates face strict regulations on personal items, with altered possessions often confiscated, and limited ability to give items to others upon release.
- Supermax prisons in the US have the most extreme rules, with prisoners spending most of their day in solitary confinement and limited activities or amenities.
10:51
Innovative and Unique Prison Systems Worldwide
- In Aranjuez Prison, low-risk inmates with families can live with their children in well-furnished family cells to develop parenting skills under supervision until the child turns three.
- Fortezza Medicea prison in Italy allows inmates, even those serving at least seven years, to work as gourmet chefs in a high-end restaurant attached to the prison, gaining a reputation as one of the best in Italy.
- Cereso Chetumal Prison in Mexico resolves conflicts by allowing prisoners to fight in a boxing ring with gloves and rules, leading to no nonconsensual violence for at least ten years.
- Justizzentrum Leoben in Austria operates as a minimum-security prison where low-risk inmates wear their own clothes, cook their own food, and spend time in common areas to ease their transition back to normal life.
- Bastoey Island Low Security Prison in Norway focuses on environmental sustainability, with inmates working on compost projects and using solar power, offering activities like horseback riding and swimming.
- The Squirrel Cage Jail in Iowa, now a tourist attraction, once housed inmates in rotating pie-shaped cells controlled by a jailer, posing risks of injury during attempted escapes.
- Black Dolphin Prison in Southern Russia is a feared facility where the worst criminals spend almost 23 hours a day in cells, following strict rules like standing at attention, responding with "Yes, Sir," and being blindfolded during transfers.
