Östermalmsfängelset, Former prison building in Östermalm, Stockholm, Sweden
Östermalmsfängelset is a former red brick prison building with a granite foundation and limestone details, located between Uggelviksgatan, Östermalmsgatan, and Rådmansgatan streets. It contained 115 cells and operated as a correctional facility from its completion until 1925, when it transitioned to a different use.
Construction took place between 1895 and 1897, replacing an earlier facility in Norrmalm following parliamentary reforms decided in 1841. The new building represented a shift in how society approached corrections and incarceration at that time.
The facility housed both male and female inmates under one roof, reflecting how society organized correctional spaces in the early 1900s. When you look at the building today, you can sense how it represents a moment when prison design was becoming more systematic and structured.
The site sits between three streets near Engelbrekt Church, making it straightforward to locate. Visit during daylight hours to see the architectural details and understand how the building relates to its neighborhood context.
The prison courtyard featured wedge-shaped exercise areas, an unusual design choice for managing inmate movement and control. A dark isolation cell in the basement served as a tool for disciplining difficult prisoners.
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