Around the World - Behind Bars Quiz

Answer: Paris, France

The Bastille was originally a medieval fortress that was turned into a prison in the 17th century. It was stormed by Parisians in 1789 during the French Revolution (although by this time it housed only a handful of inmates) and eventually torn down.

Answer: Piraeus, Greece

Korydallos Prison is the main prison in Greece, and houses both men and women inmates. At one time it had a bad reputation for overcrowding and inhumane treatment of prisoners. It has been used to house both political prisoners and regular criminals.

Answer: San Francisco,USA

Alcatraz is located in San Francisco bay and was originally a military establishment. It was a notorious federal prison (1934-1963), famous because it was thought to be inescapable. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark and a popular tourist attraction.

Answer: Toronto, Canada

This was the first prison in Canada that was made to house women. It opened in 1872 and finally closed in 1969. The only part of the prison that is still standing is the Superintendent's House, which has become a popular tourist attraction.

Answer: Berlin, Germany

Spandau was built as a military detention centre in 1876. It became infamous after the Second World War as the place where a small number of Nazi war criminals served their sentences after the Nuremburg Trials. For the last 20 years of its existence it housed a single prisoner, Rudolf Hess, who had been Adolf Hitler's deputy. It was demolished shortly after Hess's death in 1987.

Answer: Sao Paulo, Brazil

This modern prison was home to a variety of prisoners and considered to be the location of many human rights violations. It was built in in 1920, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and torn down in 2002. It at one time housed over 8,000 prisoners and was known for its high level of AIDS patients.

Answer: Kôshi City, Japan

This Japanese medical prison was primarily used as a facility for holding criminals who suffered from leprosy. It was started in 1953, and closed in 1996. The capacity of this prison was only 75 prisoners.

Answer: Solikamsk, Russia

The White Swan prison started out as a political prison in 1938. It houses less than 320 prisoners, many with life sentences. There has never been a confirmed escape from this facility, and it has a formidable reputation.

Answer: London, England

Millbank was opened in London in 1816 and served as the location for many of the prisoners who were sent to Australia. Closed in 1890, this prison was home to both men and women. The remains of this prison can be visited by the River Thames.

Answer: Milan, Italy

This prison is in the center of Milan and opened in 1879. This prison has housed many infamous men and is built in a medieval style. It has housed both men and women.