The prison is situated on Alcatraz Island, a rocky island in San Francisco Bay and considered impossible to escape from, although 36 men have tried throughout its history. Closed in 1963, the island and the former supermax prison are now open to tourists. Tours cost between $28 and $60, depending on the length and type and the boat trip out to the island.
Alcatraz only operated for 20 years, but one of the world’s most visited prisons was used much longer. The Tower of London, home of Britain’s Crown Jewels, was once a notorious prison. Built in the 11th century, it was a prison up to the mid-20th century. This puts it among a handful of the world’s oldest prisons. This building has seen many notorious inmates, including Henry VI, Anne Boleyn, Rudolph Hess, and several Scottish kings. A tour of the Tower includes a visit to the cells with an audio tour and interactive displays of prison life. Visitors can also see Tower Green, where executions took place.
