Pôle Pénitentiaire d'Abidjan, building in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The Prisión y Correccional de Abiyán, known as MACA, was built in the 1970s with a design capacity of about 1500 inmates but now holds approximately 4000 people. The facility includes residential areas, work zones, and training spaces, surrounded by thick walls that mark its physical presence in the city.
The facility was founded in the 1970s and long served as the city's main prison. During a period of political turmoil, a group of inmates escaped, exposing critical security issues within the facility.
The facility holds men, women, and young people at different stages of their justice journey, and it reflects broader social struggles in the city. Support programs here work to make the daily realities of those inside and their families more visible to the wider community.
This site is not open for casual visits, as it is an active correctional facility under strict government oversight. Access is limited to authorized personnel, officials, and those with specific judicial business.
Within the facility, inmates participate in agricultural programs where they cultivate vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cassava. This work aims to teach them practical skills and support their reintegration into society upon release.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
