Bagno of French Guiana, Penal colony in French Guiana
The Bagno of French Guiana was a penal system in South America with multiple locations on islands and the mainland. The facility consisted of stone structures, walls, and buildings spread across a remote tropical area.
The system was established in the mid-1800s and operated for over 100 years as a place of exile for prisoners. The facility was later closed as its practices faced international criticism.
The name refers to the French islands off the coast where prisoners were held in isolation. The ruins today show the buildings where people lived under severe conditions.
The remains are now accessible as a museum site and can be explored on designated pathways. The location sits on islands that are reachable by boat from the mainland.
A notorious prison on the islands used sharks as a natural barrier to prevent escape attempts. The isolation by water made the site nearly impossible for inmates to leave.
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