Carandiru Penitentiary, Former prison complex in Santana district, São Paulo, Brazil.
The prison facility spread across multiple blocks and contained cells designed to accommodate 3,500 inmates but housed over 8,000 during its peak period.
Samuel das Neves constructed this detention center in 1920 to align with Brazil's 1890 criminal code, operating until its demolition in December 2002.
Physician Drauzio Varella documented his experiences at the facility in a book that was later adapted into a critically acclaimed motion picture.
The preserved museum block remains accessible through the Carandiru Metro Station, offering visitors insights into Brazil's penal system history.
The former prison grounds now contain Parque da Juventude, transforming a symbol of confinement into a public recreational space.
Location: São Paulo
Inception: 1920
GPS coordinates: -23.50833,-46.62361
Latest update: May 26, 2025 20:21
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