La Santé Prison, Penitentiary center in 14th arrondissement, France.
La Santé Prison spans across the grounds of a former coal market, featuring a design by architect Émile Vaudremer with 708 cells for inmates.
The prison opened its doors in 1867 as a replacement for the Madelonnettes Convent and witnessed numerous executions until 1939 at its entrance.
The facility maintains separate sections for different categories of inmates, including a dedicated area for high-profile individuals and political detainees.
Located at 42 Rue de la Santé in Paris, the prison underwent extensive renovations between 2014 and 2019 to meet current detention standards.
During the German occupation of World War II, the prison became a detention center where 18 members of the French Resistance met their end.
Location: 14th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1867
Architects: Émile Vaudremer
Official opening: 1867
Address: 42 Rue de la Santé 75014 Paris
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 13:00-16:00
Phone: +33186218020
Website: http://annuaires.justice.gouv.fr/index.php?rubrique=10113&ssrubrique=10121&article=10664
GPS coordinates: 48.83389,2.33972
Latest update: November 22, 2025 11:15
This collection brings together penal institutions that have marked the history of incarceration worldwide through their architecture, detention conditions, or roles in major historical events. From the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, established in 2002 for holding individuals suspected of terrorism, to high-security facilities like Red Onion in Wise County, Virginia, these sites document the evolution of penal systems across continents. Among the institutions transformed into memorial sites, Diyarbakır Prison in Turkey stands out for its conversion into a cultural center and museum since 2019. Its 24 dormitories spread over two floors, its cells, and corridors allow visitors to explore this chapter of Turkish penal history. In Argentina, Mendoza Prison, built in the early 20th century, reflects the prison practices of that era and the development of the regional judicial system. Other facilities remain operational and raise questions about prisoners' rights and incarceration conditions. Gldani Prison in Tbilisi caused national protests in 2012 after images exposing systemic abuses were released, leading to major reforms in the Georgian penal system. Ciudad Barrios Prison in El Salvador continues to function as a correctional center in the eastern region of the country. These sites, spread across multiple continents, provide documented insights into penal practices in various political and social contexts. From Rwanda to North Korea, passing through Colombia and the United States, they help understand the evolution of judicial and correctional systems while raising current issues related to detention and rehabilitation.
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