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Top 10 Most Notorious Prisons In The U.S.

Top 10 Most Notorious Prisons In The U.S.

Source: Andrew Lichtenstein / Getty
The Complex Legacy of the U.S. Prison System
The U.S. prison system has a storied past, marked by its complexity, controversy, and cultural impact. No two prisons are alike, yet certain facilities stand out for their infamous reputations, historical significance, and notorious inmates. These institutions represent some of the most crucial intersections of justice and punishment, each with stories that reflect broader societal challenges and shifts in the American approach to incarceration.
Prisons in the United States date back to the early 18th century, starting with small penitentiaries that focused on reforming individuals. However, by the mid-20th century, the system expanded dramatically, responding to rising crime rates, stricter laws, and cultural shifts. Today, these institutions hold millions of people and play a pivotal role in the justice system, with some achieving notoriety for their size, inmate populations, or the severity of their security measures.
Facilities like ADX Florence in Colorado, dubbed 'The Alcatraz of the Rockies,' symbolize the extreme levels of control implemented in modern incarceration. With near-total isolation for inmates, its methods have sparked debates over human rights and mental health. The massive Rikers Island in New York captures a different side of the penal system, holding thousands of short-term detainees while grappling with widespread allegations of violence and neglect. Meanwhile, San Quentin in California blends a grim legacy of executions with modern efforts at inmate rehabilitation, including groundbreaking media programs led by the prisoners themselves.
Prisons also hold a prominent place in cultural narratives, thanks to their infamous inmates and historical events. Figures like Al Capone, Ted Kaczynski, and Tupac Shakur have brought attention to these facilities, while iconic moments, such as the Attica Prison Riot of 1971, highlight systemic failures and the ongoing push for reform.
These prisons exist at the crossroads of justice and societal reflection. They underscore the tensions between safety, punishment, and rehabilitation, serving as a mirror that reflects the broader national conversation about equity, humanity, and the role of incarceration in shaping lives. With their notoriety often casting them into the spotlight, these facilities tell stories that go beyond their walls, weaving into the cultural fabric of America.
Check out the list below.
10. United States Penitentiary, MarionLocation: Marion, Illinois
Capacity: Approximately 1,000 inmates
Opening its doors in 1963, USP Marion quickly became the most secure prison in the United States by the late 1970s. It introduced the concept of a 'control unit' after violence led to a prolonged lockdown, becoming the nation's first SuperMax facility. Though its status as a SuperMax has since changed, Marion houses one of only two Communication Management Units in the country, primarily holding Arab-American prisoners.
Notable inmates: Mafia boss John Gotti, baseball legend Pete Rose, and serial killer Thomas Silverstein.
9. Rikers IslandLocation: Queens, New York
Capacity: Approximately 14,000 inmates
Rikers Island is a sprawling jail complex comprising ten separate facilities. It is notorious for housing individuals awaiting trial, those unable to post bail, and people serving short sentences. Over the years, Rikers has developed a harsh reputation due to reports of violence, neglect, and overcrowding.
Notable inmates: Music icons Tupac Shakur, Lil Wayne, and DMX, along with David 'Son of Sam' Berkowitz and Sid Vicious.
8. Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola)Location: Angola, Louisiana
Capacity: 5,000 inmates
Once a plantation, Angola is now the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, covering 18,000 acres. Known as 'The Alcatraz of the South,' the prison holds Louisiana's male death row inmates and includes the state's execution chamber. Despite its grim history, Angola has drawn attention for its prison rodeos and rehabilitation programs.
Notable inmates: The Angola Three, whose controversial imprisonment placed the prison under a global spotlight.
7. Leavenworth Federal PenitentiaryLocation: Leavenworth, Kansas
Capacity: 2,000 inmates
Leavenworth is a medium-security federal prison for men operated by the Bureau of Prisons. Known for its historical importance, it has housed some of the most notorious offenders and serves as a symbol of the justice system's rigid framework.
Notable inmates: Mobster Bugs Moran, NFL quarterback Michael Vick, and gangster George 'Machine Gun' Kelly.
6. Folsom State PrisonLocation: Folsom, California
Capacity: 1,813 inmates
Opening in 1880, Folsom is California's second-oldest prison and was the first in the nation to have electricity. It remains one of the most infamous maximum-security facilities, recognized globally thanks to Johnny Cash's live prison performances.
Notable inmates: Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, cult leader Charles Manson, and musician Rick James.
5. Attica Correctional FacilityLocation: Attica, New York
Capacity: 2,150 inmates
Attica, a supermax prison, gained infamy during a 1971 riot that left 39 people dead, including hostages and correctional officers. This tragic event led to significant changes in prison security measures, including the installation of tear gas systems. Attica remains a facility for high-risk individuals with prior disciplinary issues.
Notable inmates: Rapper Tupac Shakur, John Lennon's assassin Mark David Chapman, and David 'Son of Sam' Berkowitz.
4. United States Penitentiary, AtlantaLocation: Atlanta, Georgia
Capacity: 2,000 inmates
A medium-security transfer facility, USP Atlanta houses inmates awaiting relocation. It has been a holding site for Cuban refugees and other prominent figures. The prison drew attention in the 1980s due to overcrowding in its isolation cells.
Notable inmates: Financial fraudster Bernard Madoff, Black Mafia Family Leader Big Meech, and NFL quarterback Michael Vick.
3. Sing SingLocation: Ossining, New York
Capacity: 1,700 inmates
The historic Sing Sing prison is one of the oldest in New York, famously built using stone from a nearby quarry. It served as the site of over 600 executions in its heyday. Today, there are plans to transform parts of the facility into a museum to honor its place in criminal justice history.
Notable inmates: Organized crime figure Charles 'Lucky' Luciano.
2. San Quentin State PrisonLocation: Marin County, California
Capacity: 3,302 inmates
California's oldest prison, opening in 1852, San Quentin houses the largest male death row population in the U.S. Executions, initially via gas chamber and now by lethal injection, make the facility infamous. Known for its active role in rehabilitation programs, it also has a media team called San Quentin News.
Notable inmates: Activist Stanley 'Tookie' Williams, founder of the Crips gang.
1. ADX FlorenceLocation: Florence, Colorado
Capacity: 490 inmates
Dubbed 'The Alcatraz of the Rockies,' ADX Florence is the U.S.'s only federal SuperMax prison, reserved for the most dangerous criminals. It provides almost complete isolation for its inmates, with minimal human interaction. Each prisoner spends the majority of the day in solitary confinement, a practice heavily debated for its mental health implications.
Notable inmates: Domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski, Chicago gangster Larry Hoover, and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
RELATED: Trump Commutes Sentence Of Larry Hoover, Social Media Reacts In Side Eye
These prisons serve as stark reminders of the complexities of justice in America. Their histories, coupled with noted inmates, reveal stories of both tragedy and reform, underscoring the ongoing debate about incarceration and its impact on society.
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Top 10 Most Notorious Prisons In The U.S. was originally published on woldcnews.com
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ICE raids accelerate, protests spread
ICE raids accelerate, protests spread

The Hill

time14 minutes ago

  • The Hill

ICE raids accelerate, protests spread

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Images of unrest, political spin distort the reality on the ground in L.A.
Images of unrest, political spin distort the reality on the ground in L.A.

Los Angeles Times

time17 minutes ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Images of unrest, political spin distort the reality on the ground in L.A.

Driverless Waymo vehicles, coated with graffiti and engulfed in flames. Masked protesters, dancing and cavorting around burning American flags. Anonymous figures brazenly blocking streets and shutting down major freeways, raining bottles and rocks on the police, while their compatriots waved Mexican flags. The images flowing out of Los Angeles over nearly a week of protests against federal immigration raids have cast America's second most populous city as a terrifying hellscape, where lawbreakers rule the streets and regular citizens should fear to leave their homes. In the relentless fever loop of online and broadcast video, it does not matter that the vast majority of Los Angeles neighborhoods remain safe and secure. Digital images create their own reality and it's one that President Trump and his supporters have used to condemn L.A. as a place that is 'out of control' and on the brink of total collapse. The images and their true meaning and context have become the subject of a furious debate in the media and among political partisans, centered on the true roots and victims of the protests, which erupted on Friday as the Trump administration moved aggressively to expand its arrests of undocumented immigrants. As the president and his supporters in conservative media tell it, he is the defender of law and order and American values. They cast their opponents as dangerous foreign-born criminals and their feckless enablers in the Democratic Party and mainstream media. The state's political leaders and journalists offer a compelling rebuttal: that Trump touched off several days of protest and disruption with raids that went far beyond targeting criminals, as he previously promised, then escalated the conflict by taking the highly unusual step of sending the National Guard and Marines to Southern California. Reaction to the raids by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and the subsequent turmoil will divide Americans on what have become partisan lines that have become so predictable they are 'calcified,' said Lynn Vavreck, a political science professor at UCLA. 'The parties want to build very different worlds, voters know it, and they know which world they want to live in,' said Vavreck, who has focused on the country's extreme political polarization. 'And because the parties are so evenly divided, and this issue is so personal to so many, the stakes are very high for people.' As a curfew was imposed Tuesday, the sharpest street confrontations appeared to be fading and a national poll suggested Americans have mixed feelings about the events that have dominated the news. The YouGov survey of 4,231 people found that 50% disapprove of the Trump administration's handling of deportations, compared with 39% who approve. Pluralities of those sampled also disagreed with Trump's deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Southern California. But 45% of those surveyed by YouGov said they disapprove of the protests that began after recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Another 36% approved of the protests, with the rest unsure how they feel. Faced with a middling public response to the ICE raids and subsequent protests, Trump continued to use extreme language to exaggerate the magnitude of the public safety threat and to take credit for the reduction in hostilities as the week progressed. In a post on his TruthSocial site, he suggested that, without his military intervention, 'Los Angeles would be burning just like it was burning a number of months ago, with all the houses that were lost. Los Angeles right now would be on fire.' In reality, agitators set multiple spot fires in a few neighborhoods, including downtown Los Angeles and Paramount, but the blazes in recent days were tiny and quickly controlled, in contrast to the massive wildfires that devastated broad swaths of Southern California in January. Trump's hyperbole continued in a fundraising appeal to his supporters Tuesday. In it, he again praised his decision to deploy the National Guard (without the approval of California Gov. Gavin Newsom), concluding: 'If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.' The Republican had assistance in fueling the sense of unease. His colleagues in Congress introduced a resolution to formally condemn the riots. 'Congress steps in amid 'out-of-control' Los Angeles riots as Democrats resist federal help,' Fox News reported on the resolution, being led by Rep. Young Kim of Orange County. A journalist based in New Delhi pronounced, based on unspecified evidence, that Los Angeles 'is descending into a full-blown warzone.' Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins suggested that the harm from the protesters was spreading; announcing in a social media post that a care center for vets in downtown L.A. had been temporarily closed. 'To the violent mobs in Los Angeles rioting in support of illegal immigrants and against the rule of law,' his post on X said, 'your actions are interfering with Veterans' health care.' A chyron running with a Fox News commentary suggested 'Democrats have lost their mind,' as proved by their attempts to downplay the anti-ICE riots. Many Angelenos mocked the claims of a widespread public safety crisis. One person on X posted a picture of a dog out for a walk along a neatly kept sidewalk in a serene neighborhood, with the caption: 'Los Angeles just an absolute warzone, as you can see.' In stark contrast to the photos of Waymo vehicles burning and police cars being pelted with rocks, a video on social media showed a group of protestors line dancing. 'Oh my God! They must be stopped before their peaceful and joy filled dance party spreads to a city near you!' the caption read. 'Please send in the Marines before they start doing the Cha Cha and the Macarena!' And many people noted on social media that Sunday's Pride parade in Hollywood for the LGBTQ+ community went off without incident, as reinforced by multiple videos of dancers and marchers celebrating along a sun-splashed parade route. But other activists and Democrats signaled that they understand how Trump's position can be strengthened if it appears they are condoning the more extreme episodes that emerged along with the protests — police being pelted with bottles, businesses being looted and buildings being defaced with graffiti. On Tuesday, an X post by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reiterated her earlier admonitions: 'Let me be clear: ANYONE who vandalized Downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities,' the mayor wrote. 'You will be held accountable.' The activist group Occupy Democrats posted a message online urging protesters to show their disdain for the violence and property damage. 'The moment violence of property damage begins, EVERY OTHER PROTESTER must immediately sit on the floor or the ground in silence, with signs down,' the advisory suggested. 'The media needs to film this. This will reveal paid fake thugs posing as protesters becoming violent. ….The rest of us will demonstrate our non-violent innocence and retain our Constitutional right to peaceful protest.' Craig Silverman, a journalist and cofounder of Indicator, a site that investigates deception on digital platforms, said that reporting on the context and true scope of the protests would have a hard time competing with the visceral images broadcast into Americans' homes. 'It's inevitable that the most extreme and compelling imagery will win the battle for attention on social media and on TV,' Silverman said via email. 'It's particularly challenging to deliver context and facts when social platforms incentivize the most shocking videos and claims, federal and state authorities offer contradictory messages about what's happening.' Dan Schnur, who teaches political science at USC and UC Berkeley, agreed. 'The overwhelming majority of the protesters are peaceful,' Schnur said, 'but they don't do stories on all the planes that land safely at LAX, either.' Though it might be too early to assess the ultimate impact of the L.A. unrest, Schnur suggested that all of the most prominent politicians in the drama might have accomplished their messaging goals: Trump motivated his base and diverted attention from his nasty feud with his former top advisor, Elon Musk, and the lack of progress on peace talks with Russia and Ukraine. Newsom 'effectively unified the state and elevated his national profile' by taking on Trump. And Bass, under tough scrutiny for her handling of the city's wildfire disaster, has also gotten a chance to use Trump as a foil. What was not disputed was that Trump's rapid deployment of the National Guard, without the approval of Newsom, had little precedent. And sending the Marines to L.A. was an even more extreme approach, with experts saying challenges to the deployment would test the limits of Trump's power. The federal Insurrection Act allows the deployment of the military for law enforcement purposes, but only under certain conditions, such as a national emergency. California leaders say Trump acted before a true emergency developed, thereby preempting standard protocols, including the institution of curfews and the mobilization of other local police departments in a true emergency. Even real estate developer Rick Caruso, Bass' opponent in the last election, suggested Trump acted too hastily. 'There is no emergency, widespread threat, or out of control violence in Los Angeles,' Caruso wrote on X Sunday. 'And absolutely no danger that justifies deployment of the National Guard, military, or other federal force to the streets of this or any other Southern California City.' 'We must call for calm in the streets,' Caruso added, 'and deployment of the National Guard may prompt just the opposite.'

‘A lie': Interview with released Milford teen casts doubt on ICE statements on arrest
‘A lie': Interview with released Milford teen casts doubt on ICE statements on arrest

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

‘A lie': Interview with released Milford teen casts doubt on ICE statements on arrest

An interview with Milford teenager Marcelo Gomes da Silva, recently released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, is casting doubt on several statements ICE made about the arrest. ICE had claimed Gomes da Silva was not the target of the arrest, and that ICE agents were after his father, João Paulo Gomes-Pereira. But Gomes da Silva said in an interview published by NBC News on Wednesday that ICE agents never asked him about his father or his family when he was arrested. He added that ICE agents knew his name, that he was 18 and that he was heading to school. 'He (the ICE agent) said I was an illegal immigrant and put me in the car. I was in complete shock,' Gomes da Silva said in the interview. 'I didn't cry, I wasn't angry or anything. I didn't understand what was happening, I didn't understand what I did wrong. I was clueless.' Gomes da Silva made local and national headlines after ICE agents arrested him on May 31. The 18-year-old was driving in a car with members of his volleyball team when ICE agents pulled him over and made the arrest. For six days, he was detained at an ICE field office in Burlington. On June 5, an immigration judge ordered Gomes da Silva be granted bond, and he was subsequently released from custody. Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, said during a press conference in Boston on June 2 that ICE agents stopped the car Gomes da Silva was in because it was his father's car. 'We were looking for his father — obviously, he's the father of the year, because he brought his son up here illegally as well," Lyons said June 2. In addition to new questions about whether the father was the target of the ICE action, the other part of Lyons' statement — that Gomes da Silva was brought to the U.S. illegally — is also in dispute. Gomes da Silva's attorney, Robin Nice, said on June 5 that the teen had come to the U.S. from Brazil on a visitor visa when he was younger than 7. The visitor visa had turned into a student visa, which had lapsed years ago. She added that Gomes da Silva has an asylum application pending. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that officials were looking for Gomes-Pereira because he had been identified as a 'known public safety threat' — a statement Gomes da Silva forcefully disputed. McLaughlin said that local authorities notified ICE that Gomes-Pereira drove at speeds over 100 mph through residential areas, 'endangering Massachusetts residents.' 'First of all, it's completely impossible to drive 100 mph in a residential area,' Gomes da Silva told NBC. 'They could have at least thought a little bit harder to make up a lie.' Read more: Milford High student released from ICE detention: 'Nobody should be in here' The 18-year-old also said his father has to stay home out of fear of being arrested but that his lawyers are working to address the situation. Gomes da Silva told NBC that he was born in Brazil but that he grew up in an American environment. He added that he wants to become an American citizen and stay in the country. Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino told MassLive on Wednesday that he was upset about Gomes da Silva's arrest, stating it compromises ongoing investigations within the community. 'It harms the migrant community's willingness to come forward and disclose crimes to the police,' he said. Tusino said he could not comment about whether Milford Police passed on information to federal authorities about Gomes da Silva's father. 'Milford police only assist ice with criminal arrests, not civil detainers and not illegal entry,' Tusino said. He added that Gomes da Silva was never part of any criminal investigation. A spokesperson for ICE did not provide comment as to whether they are still seeking to arrest Gomes da Silva's father. It was a normal day for Gomes da Silva as he returned to Milford High School Tuesday, according to his friend Fiona Lentini — as much as it could be after the teen was detained recently by federal immigration officials for almost a week. The two spoke for five minutes before classes, chatting about plans to play volleyball soon, Lentini told MassLive Tuesday. A sophomore at the high school, Lentini said her friend seemed happy to be back in school. 'He's good,' she said about Gomes da Silva. 'Same old Marcelo.' On Tuesday, Gomes da Silva returned to Milford High School to continue the remainder of his junior year, according to Lentini. She said it was nice to see her friend again. What Gomes da Silva is most excited about is to play volleyball again this summer, she said. 'Playing volleyball just brings us all closer since we all connect about our love for the sport,' Lentini said. 'My cousin has a net and in the summer we play there.' Gomes da Silva also got to see his girlfriend graduate from Milford High School last weekend, according to his cousin, Marcelo Bastos. Bastos told MassLive Tuesday that Gomes da Silva's mother, father and two younger siblings are also safe, with all five still living in Milford. 'They're pretty much OK,' Bastos said. 'There's no problem.' Bastos told MassLive that Gomes da Silva's father and mother were not born in America but Gomes da Silva's younger siblings were. He added that Nice plans to submit paperwork that would allow the mother and father to go outside their house without fear of arrest. He did not know what the paperwork in question was. Nice did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday and Wednesday. As the family remains home, Bastos has been trying to help by delivering and leaving food and water at their doorstep. He added that the family's neighbors have also been making deliveries to their house, bringing them food, flowers and money. 'Everybody's doing a little bit,' he said. 'We do good.' Lentini said that her friend is happy to be back with his family but said it is hard knowing that his parents are still possibly in danger. 'Obviously, it's devastating to have to worry that your family may be torn apart,' she said. Anti-ICE protesters shut down Worcester City Council meeting Nate Eaton powers Worcester Red Sox to eighth consecutive win Horse racing ban in Central Mass. city looks to clear next hurdle Read the original article on MassLive.

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