Ep 3. Mauritius: The Extreme Punishment Prison

In this episode of Inside the World's Toughest Prisons, we are taken to Mauritius, a small island nation off the coast of Africa. Here, we explore the severe punishment prison, where the most dangerous criminals in Mauritius are held.

The episode opens with host Raphael Rowe speaking with the prison's warden, who explains that the prison was designed to be a place of punishment, not rehabilitation. The inmates are kept in small, cramped cells and are only allowed outside for one hour a day. The prison is also severely overcrowded, with inmates sleeping on the floor due to lack of space.

Rowe is then taken on a tour of the prison, where he meets with some of the inmates. Many of them are serving life sentences for crimes such as murder and drug trafficking. The prison is also home to a large number of gang members, who have formed alliances and engage in violent fights with rival gangs.

One of the most striking aspects of the prison is the use of punishment cells. These cells are small, dark and completely bare. Inmates are locked inside for up to 23 hours a day, with no human contact and no access to basic amenities such as a toilet.

Rowe also speaks with some of the prison staff, who reveal the extreme measures they have to take to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates. One guard explains how he was attacked with a makeshift knife by an inmate, while another reveals how he was taken hostage for several hours during a prison riot.

Throughout the episode, Rowe provides insights into the harsh reality of life inside the Mauritius extreme punishment prison. He highlights the lack of rehabilitation programs and the overly punitive nature of the prison system, which does little to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

The episode ends with Rowe reflecting on what he has seen and the lessons that can be learned from the Mauritius experience. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on rehabilitation and the need to address the systemic issues that lead to crime in the first place.

Overall, this episode of Inside the World's Toughest Prisons is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of a prison system that is often overlooked by the rest of the world. It is a stark reminder of the human cost of crime and the need for a more compassionate and effective approach to criminal justice.