The Most Popular Prison, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the prison you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 20, 2024 07:27
In the realm of correctional facilities, knowing which institutions stand out for their programs, safety measures, and rehabilitation success rates can greatly benefit law practitioners, policy makers, and academics. A ranked list of popular prisons is not only informative but also sheds light on which facilities are setting benchmarks in the correctional system. This can help influence positive changes and inspire improvements in other institutions.
By voting for your preferred prison based on varied criteria such as facilities, staff efficiency, and reformation opportunities, you contribute to a collective assessment that could guide future policies and reforms. Each vote helps to paint a clearer picture of the correctional landscape, highlighting which prisons are leading the way in inmate rehabilitation and innovative practices. This, in turn, fosters a dialogue about best practices in incarceration and rehabilitation.
What Is the Most Popular Prison?
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156votes
Staunited · CC BY-SA 3.0San Quentin State Prison
Architect Alfred J. MulletteSan Quentin State Prison - located in California, San Quentin is one of the oldest and most notorious prisons in the United States. It has housed some of the country's most infamous criminals, including Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan.San Quentin State Prison is a maximum-security prison located in San Quentin, California, United States. It serves as the oldest prison in California and houses both male inmates on death row as well as general population inmates. The prison is known for its infamous history and notorious criminals who have been incarcerated there.- Location: San Quentin, California, United States
- Security Level: Maximum-security
- Capacity: Approximately 3,400 inmates
- Death Row: Houses male inmates awaiting execution
- Opened: July 1852
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243votesSing Sing Correctional Facility - located in New York, Sing Sing is one of the most famous prisons in the world. It has been featured in numerous movies and TV shows and has housed some of the most notorious criminals in history, including Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.The Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Ossining, New York, USA. It has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1825 and has become one of the most well-known prisons in the United States.
- Location: Ossining, New York, USA
- Security Level: Maximum
- Year Established: 1825
- Capacity: Approximately 1,700 inmates
- Facility Size: Approximately 92 acres
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323votes
User Sfoskett on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Rikers Island
The City of New YorkRikers Island - located in New York City, Rikers Island is one of the largest and most infamous prisons in the United States. It has been plagued by allegations of abuse and corruption, and has been the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits.Rikers Island is a correctional facility located in New York City on an island in the East River. It is one of the world's largest and most notorious prisons, housing thousands of inmates at any given time.- Location: New York City, USA
- Type: Correctional facility
- Capacity: Approximately 10,000 inmates
- Security Level: Maximum, medium, and minimum security
- Size: Approximately 413 acres
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414votesAttica Correctional Facility is located in New York, Attica is perhaps best known for the 1971 prison riot that left 43 people dead. It has since been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations, and remains one of the most controversial prisons in the country.Attica Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Attica, New York, United States. It is known for its notoriety and historical significance.
- Year Established: 1930
- Capacity: 2,380 inmates
- Security Level: Maximum
- Location: Attica, New York, United States
- Facility Type: Correctional Facility
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524votes
Jelson25 · CC BY 3.0Pelican Bay State Prison - located in California, Pelican Bay is one of the most secure and isolated prisons in the United States. It is home to some of the country's most dangerous and notorious criminals, including members of the Aryan Brotherhood and other white supremacist gangs.Pelican Bay State Prison is a maximum-security facility located in Crescent City, California, USA. It was designed to house the most dangerous and violent criminals in the state.- Location: Crescent City, California, USA
- Security Level: Maximum
- Inmate Capacity: Approximately 2,000
- Year Opened: 1989
- Cell Design: Single-inmate cells
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613votesLeavenworth Federal Penitentiary - located in Kansas, Leavenworth is one of the oldest and most well-known federal prisons in the United States. It has housed some of the country's most infamous criminals, including Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly.
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78votes
Vidor at English Wikipedia · Public domainFolsom State Prison - located in California, Folsom is perhaps best known for the Johnny Cash song "Folsom Prison Blues." It has housed some of the country's most notorious criminals, including Charles Manson and the members of the "San Quentin Six."Folsom State Prison is a maximum-security prison located in Folsom, California, United States. It is one of the best-known and oldest correctional facilities in the state.- Location: Folsom, California, United States
- Security Level: Maximum
- Year Established: 1878
- Capacity: Approximately 2,900 inmates
- Facility Type: State prison
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85votes
Miskatonic · CC BY 2.5Alcatraz Island - located in San Francisco, Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons in the world. It was home to some of the country's most dangerous criminals, including Al Capone and Robert "Birdman" Stroud.Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, is a small rocky island known for its infamous former federal prison. It is considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in California.- Size: 22 acres (8.9 hectares)
- Location: San Francisco Bay, California
- First Prison Built: 1861
- Federal Prison Established: 1934
- Most Famous Inmates: Al Capone, Robert Stroud (Birdman of Alcatraz)
Alcatraz Island in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular attraction in California
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99votesAngola State Penitentiary is located in Louisiana, Angola is one of the largest and most controversial prisons in the United States. It has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations, and has been criticized for its high rates of violence and sexual assault.Angola State Penitentiary is a maximum-security prison located in Angola, Louisiana, United States. It is commonly referred to as the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
- Capacity: Currently houses approximately 6,300 inmates.
- Size: The prison grounds cover an area of around 18,000 acres.
- Classification: It is a maximum-security facility.
- Notable Features: Includes a working prison farm and the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum.
- Famous Inmate: Angola gained notoriety as the place where notable death row inmate, Elmo Patrick Sonnier, was executed in the electric chair in 1984. This event inspired the creation of the movie 'Dead Man Walking.'
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107votes
Federal Bureau of Prisons · Public domainADX Florence
The Federal Bureau of PrisonsADX Florence - located in Colorado, ADX Florence is one of the most secure and isolated prisons in the world. It is home to some of the country's most dangerous and notorious criminals, including terrorists and organized crime figures.ADX Florence is a maximum-security federal prison located in Fremont County, Colorado, United States. It is known for its strict security measures and houses some of the most dangerous and high-profile inmates in the federal prison system.- Year Established: 1994
- Security Level: ADX (Administrative Maximum)
- Capacity: 490
- Cell Type: Single occupancy cells
- Solitary Confinement: 23-24 hours a day
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular prison
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Incarceration rateThe number of inmates per 100,000 people in the jurisdiction.
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Size and capacityA larger facility with a higher capacity for housing inmates may be considered more "popular."
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NotorietySome prisons are well-known due to their infamous inmates, history, or location in pop culture.
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Security levelHigher security prisons often draw more attention and are considered more "popular" than lower security facilities.
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Rehabilitation and recidivism ratesPrisons that address criminal behavior and provide effective rehabilitation programs may be considered more positively, even if they hold a large number of inmates.
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Inmate demographicsThis may include factors like the types of crimes committed by inmates, gang affiliations, age, gender, and other factors that contribute to the overall character of the prison.
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Treatment of inmatesPublic perception of how inmates are treated is crucial, including access to healthcare, living conditions, and adherence to human rights.
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Staffing and budgetThe quality and quantity of personnel, as well as adequate funding, contribute to a prison's overall reputation and popularity.
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Programming and educational opportunitiesProviding educational, vocational, and counseling services benefit inmates and society, and these efforts are often well-regarded.
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Public perception and media coveragePrisons that have been the subject of frequent or high-profile media attention will generally be more "popular" than those that have not.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular prison. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or prison is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2204 views
- 200 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each prison once every 24 hours. The rank of each prison is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular prison
When it comes to prisons, there are a lot of factors to consider when determining popularity. Are we talking about the most notorious or infamous? The largest? The most technologically advanced? Or perhaps the one with the most lenient policies for inmates?
According to recent data, the most popular prison in terms of sheer numbers is the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola. With over 6,000 prisoners, it is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the United States.
However, when it comes to notoriety, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay takes the cake. Known as "The Rock," Alcatraz was home to some of the most notorious criminals in American history, including Al Capone and "Machine Gun" Kelly. Its isolated location and reputation for being inescapable made it one of the most feared prisons of its time.
Ultimately, the most popular prison depends on what criteria you're looking at. But one thing is for sure – prisons, while necessary for public safety, are not something most people aspire to visit.
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