The French Guiana Penitentiary Colony is one of the world’s most notorious prison colonies. The penal colony of Cayenne, also known as Devil’s Island, operated between the end of WWI and the First World War. The island was home to thousands of incarcerated French citizens who were incarcerated for crimes ranging from piracy to homosexuality. The island has been described as one of the last true English penal colonies in the world. The island today is one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.
The island had a long history as one of the penal colonies. In terms of size, the island is the fourth-largest peninsular in the Caribbean. The island is also home to the highest concentration of French people in the Caribbean. The island became an overseas territory after the Second World War. During that time, the island served as a U.S. base to help defeat the French in their bid to dominate French Indochina.
The French Guiana Prison
The French Guiana prison colony began operating in 1940 and was made up of an amalgam of different penal compounds located on different islands in the Caribbean. The island served as a major transit point for incarcerated citizens of the island who were being transferred between the penal facilities in French Guiana and other French territories. The island was also used to detain criminals that were awaiting trial in French Guiana and were either there waiting to be transported or waiting to receive a pardon. Many political prisoners were also held in the prison.
Today, the island is visited by tourists who take part in its rich cultural heritage, the beautiful beaches and the historic architecture. The island is visited by visitors from across the globe who come to experience life as it was during the days of the French Empire. Most visitors who visit Guiana are of French or English descent although there have been many local people who were sent to the penal colonies as well. The French government continues to run the island as a penal colony. Visitors to the penitentiary colonies can still see the French flag, buildings and other symbols that are part of French history and culture.
Best Things About French Guiana
The island was used by both the British and the Dutch during their ventures into the Caribbean and in these ventures, they found the island to be useful as a prison colony. There is an entire history of French influence on the island today, which can be seen at places like the Guiana State Museum and the Napoleon Museum. The island is today one of the most popular tourist destinations in the western Caribbean.
The French Guiana penitentiary colony started out as a small jail camp where hardened criminals were punished for minor crimes. The island became a penal center with a number of different types of punishment for criminals, including rigorous physical labor. Today, the prison population numbers more than thirteen thousand men and women and over two hundred men and women of all ages. The prison is very orderly, while still providing a high level of security for visitors.
Museum Of French Guiana
The museum on the island contains a permanent exhibition of jail and prison inmates.
The island has maintained contact with both America and England throughout its history. It received limited attention from outside countries until the early twentieth century when it began to receive tourist trade and began to develop tourism. In recent years the island has again become popular with tourists and travelers. Some of the reasons for this growth are that the prison and penal colonies are no longer needed and that visitors are attracted by the lush tropical environment and beautiful scenery. The growing tourism helps to support the island’s economy.
Conclusion
The island still serves as a penal institution for French prisoners. Offenders who serve time on the island can be moved to any of the other French Guiana penal colonies or remain at the island permanently. Visitors can take part in many of the cultural events and activities which take place at the island. There is a major industry on the island, which continues to prosper. The food, clothing, souvenirs, jewelry, plants and fish are produced on the island. Restaurants, shops, and bars continue to operate on the island providing a large source of income to the French Guiana penitentiary colony.
