What is the World's Smallest Prison - Interesting Facts
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The smallest prison in the world is located on the small British island of Sark |
Where and How is the Smallest Prison in the World?
The world's smallest prison was designed for two people and has been in operation since 1856 to the present day. The prison is located on Sark Island, in the Channel Islands, and is located between Great Britain and France.
It is noteworthy that Sark is owned by Guernsey, which is ruled by the monarch of Great Britain. Despite this, Guernsey is not part of the United Kingdom, although the country's influence prevails there. The culture is Norman, and they speak two languages, English and French.
Sark has an area of only 5.5 square kilometers. Despite its small length, around 600 people live there, the island has its own flag and coat of arms. The prison in Sark is primarily a tourist attraction, but it has an interesting history surrounding this prison.
What's So Special About the Smallest Prison?
The first prison was built in 1856. The first prisoner was a maid who stole a handkerchief from a woman in the family where she worked. She spent 3 days in prison, but this could hardly be called a conviction. The girl became afraid to be alone in the dark cell, and she was allowed to sit in prison with the door open. All three days, relatives and friends visited her.
Another famous prisoner is the physicist Andre Gardes. In 1990, Andre Gardes set out for the island and announced that he would now 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 been officially held in prison.
How are Prisons Used Today?
Currently, the prison is mainly used as a stopover for people who "have too much to drink", regardless of who, locals as well as tourists. They were allowed to stay there for a few hours and the rest of the time the prison remained a tourist attraction. The prison retains its original shape, like many buildings on the island.
Today, there are many locals who volunteer to look after the prison for free. Perhaps over time, Sark has lost its prison character, but has become a favorite spot, a local feature.
Interesting Facts About the Smallest Prison on the Planet
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The prison was built in 1856. One of the first prisoners held at the smallest prison on the planet, located on Sark Island, was a young girl who was arrested for stealing her lover's handkerchief. |
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The reason the prison on Sark Island is so small is because the population here is only about 500 people. |
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The reason why the prison on Sark Island is the smallest prison is because it has only 2 cells. |
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Although there are only 2 cells, this prison is still in use today and is always visited by tourists |
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