The United States is home to some of the most notorious and dangerous prisons, known for their strict regimes, notorious inmates, and sometimes harsh conditions. Here’s a list of 15 of the most dangerous prisons in the U.S. and a brief explanation of each:
- United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) in Florence, Colorado: Known as the “Alcatraz of the Rockies,” ADX Florence is the most secure prison in the country, designed to house the most dangerous inmates in solitary confinement.
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility, New York: One of the oldest prisons in the U.S., Sing Sing is known for its strict regime and was once home to the electric chair known as “Old Sparky.”
- San Quentin State Prison, California: The oldest prison in California, San Quentin is notorious for its death row and has hosted many high-profile inmates.
- Attica Correctional Facility, New York: The site of the infamous 1971 riot, Attica is known for its tough conditions and history of violence both by inmates and staff.
- Folsom State Prison, California: Famous for its concerts by Johnny Cash, Folsom has a reputation for severe violence among inmates.
- Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Kansas: Known for its military-style regime, Leavenworth has housed many notable criminals and political prisoners.
- Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola Prison): The largest maximum-security prison in the U.S., Angola is known for its former harsh treatment of inmates and the annual Angola Rodeo.
- Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, California: Though no longer operational, Alcatraz’s reputation lives on as one of the most infamous prisons, once home to Al Capone and other notorious criminals.
- Pelican Bay State Prison, California: Known for its Security Housing Units (SHUs), Pelican Bay isolates inmates deemed the most dangerous.
- Rikers Island, New York: Rikers has a reputation for violence, both from inmates and guards, and is one of the largest correctional institutions in the world.
- United States Penitentiary, Marion, Illinois: Once the highest-security prison in the U.S., Marion was designed to replace Alcatraz and known for its strict control units.
- United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, Georgia: One of the oldest prisons in the U.S., it has a history of overcrowding and violence.
- United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas: Not to be confused with the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, this medium-security facility is also known for its strict regime.
- California State Prison, Corcoran: Known for housing high-profile inmates and violence among prisoners, including fights organized by guards.
- United States Penitentiary, Pollock, Louisiana: A high-security facility known for housing various high-profile criminals and gang leaders.
These prisons represent some of the most challenging environments in the U.S. correctional system, known for their notorious inmates, violent histories, and sometimes controversial management practices.