The smallest prison in the world is located on the small island of Sark in the UK. What happens in this prison, who is locked up there, and the intriguing secrets of the prison will pique your curiosity.
The smallest prison in the world is designed for two people and has been in operation since 1856 to this day. The prison is situated on Sark Island, part of the Channel Islands, located between the United Kingdom and France.
Notably, Sark is owned by Guernsey, which is governed by the monarch of the United Kingdom. However, Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom, even though the influence of this country is predominant there. The culture is Norman, and they speak two languages: English and French.
The prison in Sark mainly serves as a tourist attraction.
Sark has an area of only 5.5 km². One cell measures 3.4 m2, and the other measures 4.3 m2, separated by a narrow corridor. Each cell can barely fit a small wooden bed with a thin mattress for the inmate to sleep on. By regulation, prisoners can only be held here for a maximum of 2 days before being transferred to a larger prison facility on the nearby island of Guernsey. Despite its small size, about 600 people live on the island.
According to the Sark Estate website, in 1832, the Guernsey Court proposed the construction of a new prison as the original prison was deemed unsuitable. However, due to budget constraints, it took more than two decades for the authorities to begin constructing the new detention facility. The new prison was completed in 1856 and has been in operation since then.
The law enforcement agency on the island does not receive regular crime reports. Over the years, the world’s smallest prison has seen very few structural changes. However, the facility has been equipped with electricity and heating systems.
This island has its own flag and coat of arms. The prison in Sark mainly serves as a tourist attraction, but it also has an interesting history surrounding it.
What makes the prison special?
The first detention facility was built in 1856. The first prisoner was a maid who stole a handkerchief from a woman in the family she worked for. She was imprisoned for 3 days, but this could hardly be called a conviction. The girl became frightened while alone in the dark cell, and she was allowed to sit in prison with the door open. Throughout the 3 days, her relatives and friends came to visit her.
Another famous inmate was the physicist Andre Gardes. In 1990, Andre Gardes traveled to the island and declared that he would be the “lord” of the island. On the same day, the police arrested him and detained him for a week. Since then, no one has officially been imprisoned in the jail.
How is the prison used today?
Today, the prison mainly serves as a stopover for those who have “overindulged,” regardless of whether they are locals or tourists. They are allowed to stay there for a few hours, and during the rest of the time, the prison remains a tourist attraction. The prison retains its original shape, like many buildings on the island.
Nowadays, many locals volunteer to oversee the prison without pay. Perhaps over time, Sark has lost its characteristics as a prison and has instead become a beloved spot, a local hallmark.
