Diyarbakır Prison, Prison facility in Diyarbakır, Turkey.
The Diyarbakır Prison consists of two sections: an E-type facility with a capacity of 744 inmates and a D-type section for political detainees.
Following the military takeover in September 1980, the prison transitioned from civilian administration to martial law military control until May 1988.
The facility became a central point in Kurdish social movements, leading to numerous publications, documentaries, and testimonies about prisoner experiences.
The prison currently functions under the Ministry of Justice and contains additional bunk beds that increase its total capacity to 1000 inmates.
Between 1981 and 1984, thirty-four individuals lost their lives within the prison walls, resulting in its inclusion among the world's most severe detention centers.
Location: Diyarbakır
Inception: 1980
Official opening: 1980
Operator: Adalet Bakanlığı
Address: İskenderpaşa, Talay Tepe Küme Evleri No:57, 21300 Kayapınar/Diyarbakır, Türkiye 21300 Diyarbakır
Phone: +904122580001
Website: http://diyarbakirecik.adalet.gov.tr
GPS coordinates: 37.92889,40.19667
Latest update: November 22, 2025 11:39
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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