Historically Evil Prisons That Make Alcatraz Look Like A Five Star Hotel

Robben Island

Photo Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler / LightRocket / Getty Images

The Robben Island prison was founded in the 17th century and has since been a political prison, military outpost and insane asylum. Located west of the coast of South Africa, Robben Island is very famous for housing Nelson Mandela as a political prisoner.

Mandela has described the conditions of living there as inhumane and exhausting. He said that they would often have to mine in the lime quarry in the scorching sun and had permanent eye damage because of it.