Beginning in 1961, the prison was used by the South African government for political prisoners and convicted criminals. The maximum security prison for political prisoners closed in 1991 …

The island housed a leper colony from 1846 to 1931, and those judged insane were also sent there. A lighthouse was installed in 1864. Fortifications were erected during World War II, and …

Banishment and imprisonment on Robben Island was used more as a means of punishment rather than as a ‘rehabilitative’ tool. Most of the people sent to the Island had at some point, …

Jul 16, 2021 · Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town in South Africa was a notorious prison, best known for its internment of political prisoners during South African apartheid.

Robben Island is a roughly oval landmass in Table Bay, 4.3 miles west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It is a former maximum-security prison …

Jun 14, 2025 · A comprehensive guide to visiting Robben Island Maximum Security Prison in Cape Town, South Africa. Learn about its history, tour tips, and what to expect during your visit.

It was fortified and used as a prison from the late-seventeenth century until 1996, after the end of apartheid. During the late 20th century, it was used to imprison political prisoners who …

Welcome to Robben Island, South Africa - home to the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years, along with over 3,000 political prisoners during their fight to end...

After the Soweto uprisings in June 1976, a new wave of radicalised young political prisoners were sent to the Island. The last .political prisoners were released from Robben Island in May 1991. …

May 27, 2024 · Nestled in the tempestuous waters off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa lies Robben Island, a small landmass with an immense historical legacy. For the majority of the …