Anexo Cárcel Capuchinos, Former detention center in central Santiago, Chile
The Anexo Cárcel Capuchinos was a detention facility in central Santiago with private cells, a swimming pool, gymnasium, billiard table, large visiting hall, and public phones for inmates. The building offered unusually comfortable conditions for a prison.
The structure was built in 1860 as a Capuchin convent and was converted to a prison facility in 1946 under President Juan Antonio Rios. A fire in the guard dormitories led to its permanent closure in 2005.
The facility reflected social inequality in Chile's justice system by offering premium detention conditions to wealthy individuals and white-collar criminals. This distinction was visible to visitors in both the accommodations and daily routines within the walls.
The site is located in a central area and is accessible on foot, with clear visibility from the street. Visitors should note that this is a former prison with limited access and requires planning ahead.
Inmates maintained a tradition of bringing cakes upon their return to the facility, believing this gesture would prevent future imprisonment. This unusual custom revealed the peculiar culture that developed within the walls.
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