Ep 27. History's Hardest Prison

History's Hardest Prison is an episode from the 2010 season of National Geographic Documentaries. This episode explores some of the most notorious prisons in history and the brutal conditions that prisoners faced inside them.

The episode begins with a look at the Tower of London, which was used as a prison for over 800 years. The Tower was infamous for its torture chambers, and prisoners were often held in cramped, unsanitary conditions. The episode examines the stories of some of the most famous prisoners at the Tower, including Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes.

The episode then moves on to Alcatraz, a maximum-security prison located on an island off the coast of San Francisco. Known as "The Rock," Alcatraz was used to house some of the most dangerous criminals of the 20th century. The episode explores the harsh conditions at Alcatraz, including the strict rules and regulations that prisoners had to follow.

Next, the episode takes a look at Robben Island, a South African prison that was used to incarcerate political prisoners during Apartheid. The most famous prisoner at Robben Island was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years there. The episode explores the conditions at Robben Island, including the brutality inflicted on prisoners by guards.

The episode then moves on to Devil's Island, a penal colony off the coast of French Guiana. Devil's Island was used to house political prisoners and other criminals, and prisoners were forced to endure brutal living conditions and hard labor. Many prisoners died from disease or abuse, and the episode examines the stories of some of the most famous prisoners at Devil's Island.

Finally, the episode takes a look at the Tadmor Prison in Syria, which is notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners. The prison was used to house political dissidents during the Syrian Civil War, and prisoners were subjected to torture and other forms of abuse. The episode explores the conditions at Tadmor Prison and the stories of some of the prisoners who were held there.

Overall, History's Hardest Prison provides a harrowing look at some of the most notorious prisons in history and the brutal conditions that prisoners faced inside them. The episode is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of horrific circumstances.