These former prisons offer a glimpse into life behind bars

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was the filming location for many movies after its closure as a prison. — DAN RAMEY LOGAN/Wikimedia Commons

Many former prisons around the world have been turned into museums that anyone can visit today. There’s so much to learn from these prison museums, including the history of the place and the penal system.

Here are some of the more notorious penitentiaries that are worth checking out.