Behind Bars: Maafushi Central Prison, Maldives | World’s Toughest Prisons | Free Documentary 

THE ultimate holiday paradise in the Indian Ocean attracts more than 2 million visitors from all over the world- every year! But not every island is a party islannd. Those caught by the police - inhabitants and tourists alike - end up in Maafushi Central Prison, located on Maafushi Island, about 30 kilometers away from the main island of Male. Maafushi Central Prison is a high-security prison covering an area the size of ten football pitches. Surrounded by six-meter- high walls, and the sea, the facility houses up to 800 criminals under the strictest security measures. All-round surveillance - cameras, strict rules, daily searches - are the key components in the success of this prison in the middle of a vacation paradise.

I'm actually surprised to see that this channel covered a prison in Maldives. Maldives doesn't have much attention on mainstream media on topics like this it's all about luxury resorts. I'm a big fan of this channel. Thank you for covering this :)

They are the most cooperative prisoners throughout all the documentaries so far.

This must be the first documentary EVER about the Maldives that does NOT cover (1) the beautiful scuba diving, (2) the resorts, or (3) luxury holidays.

Ahhh yes, randomly scrolling at 4:30am when Free Documentary uploads a new Jail Documentary, best start to a Sunday ever 😎🤙🏽🌴

These really help me with depression and help me realize that my life is actually pretty good.

This prison is certainly tough, but overall fair and well run, and definitely not inhumane like some of the other prisons from this series (i.e. Madagascar, San Pedro)

Worked there in medical team nearly for 5 years. Compare with other international jails, this is the coolest one for local prisoners. Daily 5 time food, free medical ( which is the one should be mentioned prestigiously ,sadly not mentioned any where in this video) and other rehabilitation activities and thus the country care for their prisoners too

this prison looks kinda nice tbh. fairly clean, no one starving. If the worst thing is being bored or getting some items stolen that's a heck of a lot better than fearing being killed by an inmate or disease. They were even all given masks and are wearing them properly. Kudos to this prison!

Keep em coming.. I can watch behind bars all day!

I watch all different prison documentaries to stay humble, focused, and out of trouble.

I don't know how this prison ended up in the list of the toughest prisons. Like man, have you seen the prison in Madagascar? This will seem like a holiday resort to many prisoners around the world

The prison may be tough, but it's good to see that the authorities care about hygiene! Especially when compared to other prisons shown on this channel 😅

As some one who has been to maafushi prison 3 times in different sentences I would like to say there are couple of things not accurate , hidden and also many things shown how it is well accordingly. For examples as a hidden part, I don't know whether the makers of this documentary didn't know or they were not allowed to film the other 3 units which were completely ignored and not shown in this documentary. It's unit 2 , 3, and 4. In jails common name it's AB unit , CD unit ,EF unit. AB unit consists of the most dangerous high risk , violent inmates who are sentenced for life or death penalty. And also so called religious extremists and also inmates who continuously fights for their rights and whistle blowers who try to expose the corruption ,torture and scams and scandals related to the prison officials are also kept here . And also there are lot of mental inamtes here who are dangerous to be mixed with other inmates and who clearly need mental assistance and medical help. Basically this is a isolation unit. The cells are freaking small . Almost two people can be there but they put 4 to 5 people in a a cell here but some cells have 2 and even 1 person depending on how and which type of high risk he is. And inmates in these cells are not allowed out of the cell anytime except for medical purposes and going for court or sometimes incase of a family members death they could attend the funeral accompanied by 4 to 8 officers if the family arrange the transport cost which is really high. And the CD unit is a unit which hold the inamtes who have been held until there trials are finished and more likely those cases that have lots of evidence that the court is sure they will be found guilty so they are kept until sentencing , and the Maldives judiciary system is so slow that inmates here have to wait normally 3 to 6 years on trial. And EF Unit holds the most dangerous high risk inamtes according to them. And in those cells cameras are installed. And this 3 units has two floors in every unit. EF unit has foreigners on trial on the first floor. And in the ground floor there the most high risk inmates according to them as I said earlier. And here only one person is in each cell and is under camera surveillance 24/7. I remember they transferred a guy who was giving them ( the prison department) hard time by writing letters to UN, Human rights regarding the poor condition of these three units about hygiene and not getting sunlight because they are not allowed out of the cell anytime except for certain situations I mentioned earlier, and they didn't allow any of his letters to pass out of jail. ( This is not the general case , but they did it to him Cox he was a well educated inamte and tried to expose them). This is one of the hidden things I mentioned in the documentary and I think the prison didn't allow them to show it Cox the world might see the inhumane part of the prison. And the not accurate things I mean is it's not that tight security as they show in the documentary. It's in the rules to check for contraband and inspection. But it happen rarely. For instance my last incarceration in maafushi prison was in November 2020. I was released in 31 December 2021. In those 1 years I month almost 2 checks were done for contrabands. And the prison has numerous mobile phones and drugs. And as the commissioner of prison has also said that they know that there is the role of some officers and high ranking officers in smuggling mobile phones and drugs in the prison. For example in my time there I used to call my family every day and I used to own a phone and even use Facebook also. Drug trade is also in every unit. And other things shown are almost accurate. And I don't know any thing about the female unit coz we never see it or can go near it And I laughed really hard when they said it's difficult to escape from there.many people have escaped from the prison. But maldives being a small place the eacapees are caught in no time at all yet some people whom I personally know have escaped from this prison and been on run for 2 years , 1 years 6 months being the longest time I know. And 4 smugglers who were sentenced for life escaped back in 2012 and they were never caught ,jail rumors say they planned it very well and had help from outside and they escaped in a rainy night and they left to Lanka via cargo boats and them being foreigners and also by the fear and shame of a public outrage they covered and buried it. And when I was serving the sentence a really funny incident occurred. A inamte who showed symptoms of COVID was isolated in a medical room (away from the inmates area and walls are lower in this area) with one officer. One night While the officer felt asleep the inmate somehow loosen the cuffs from one hand and got one hand out, he got out and climbed on the water tanks( don't know the real English name for it, a black big tank which water is kept) and jumped out on the streets and as it was midnight it was very easy for him and he escaped in to maafushi island ( as you know maafushi is a tourist island) then he went to the beach , stole a jetski and rode on to a near by resort. And he walked on the resort from the water bungalow area. And got in to a empty guest room and started drinking alcohol from the minibar after a while the guest came to the room and saw him and shouted and he was caught and the police were brought in some time. But yet that officer who was in charge of his security was still in deep sleep. Police questioned him and handed him over to the prison. They kept this incident discreet from the public for the shame they might get. But The officer was fired. And the guy who escaped , he was given a good beating. I met him and even shared same unit with him for a couple of days. Many incidents like this happens over the years but now it's very much rare but still when they say this is a impossible prison to escape I can't stop laughing . When I saw this I couldn't pass this by saying anything as person who was released from this prison recently, coincidentally today is the 4th month since my freedom. Thanks for reading. If anybody have any questions or anything to verify let me know. ( Cox many people have a hard time believing that I'm a Maldivian Cox of the name and anime pic I have , it's my gaming name and yts pic ) and one thing I forgot, in the documentary where they locked the inmates at night 9 , the documentary said it's a disappointing time . Not actually ,Cox after roaming around the day and the daily stuff actually most inmates wait for that lock-in time Cox that's the Time we call our families and friends wife or gf without any officer s being inside the unit and also it's the time we would want to sleep Cox of the tiredness. Thanks for reading,

I "LOVE" How Clean They Keep BOTH Their Country & Jail ... "CLEAN" !.!.!.!.!

Not so bad compared to other jails. You can hear the waves 🌊

big respect to the maldives correctional system, in this video, it appears that an inmate can work their way to making enough money to not only live above prison issue standards but share with family left behind from being punished for wrongdoing, the message is clear, enjoy the maldives, but if you are caught wrongdoing, the cops put you in the slammer for a long time, thank you Free Documentary (checkmark) for producing this wonderful video 😉

Now that's crazy, I don't think I've ever seen a prison where the guards search each other upon entering. Very smart as a lot of contraband get in that way.

Looks like the Four Seasons after watching that Madagascar prison doc.

I've been to the Maldives 3 times in the last 4 years. Overall, I only have good things to say about the country. Never knew this place exists on Mafushi island, a major tourist hub. It's next to invisible.

to me this prison is a luxury compared to the other ones we see in this channel cause they aren’t cramped, you can get a job and get paid, aren’t too strict and also sells hygiene product and make profit from it to make the prison better

I'm from Maldives and I've been in maafushi prison I served 4 months in unit-9 and although it's a little bit harsh it's not as tough as you're trying to make it look

This is a paradise! Compared to most jails in Africa, Asia and the Americas. In short than most jails in the world. Prisoners and guards here also look more friendly.

It's crazy how that prison is in the middle of that beautiful environment. The weather there is probably awesome!

After watching Madagascar one, these other places are like heaven

Weather above the prison is awesome thou.

I am from Maldives, it's not tough as you make it sounds.

This has brought Maldivian prison life accurately. But there is another island in Maldives called DHOONIDHOO where the situations are far worse. Mostly prisoners in that Island are on trial. Compared to this things are far worse on that Island. I have first hand experience there. The point is in our country there is no such thing called “innocent till proven guilty” if suspected you suffer worse than the prisoners who are sentenced.

23:24 "because drugs and cell phones somehow keep getting into the jail" *zooms in on a prison guard* very slick editing there lol

Love the series, thank you. After seeing Madagascar, every prison looks like heaven in comparison.

Dang ol Hassan has basically voluntarily done 10 years except he gets 2 months summer vacation lol well props to the commitment if nothing else sheesh those accommodations 🧐😳

This is a 5 star hotel compared to the Madagascar prison

The prisoners and the guardians has almost the same standard of accommodation. 😁😁😊

I love this channel 🖤 the fact it is up to date is even more awesome

Keep up the good work. Your work and the efforts you put are so stunning. U are changing lives ❤️

Looks like the documentary crew wanted a free trip to the Maldives.

Thank you free documentary! Much love!

Honestly, taking in to account the general income level that doesn't look too bad. Not seemingly specially overcrowded or insanely tough or violent. And not even slavery allowed like in USA...

always watching Free documentary ☺️, subscriber from Philippines 🇵🇭❤️♥️

Merry belated Christmas 🖤 thanks for the content, another prison video awesome 😍

Whenever I feel down these documentaries remind me that it could always be worse

Always love these documentary ❤

They spend $4.80 per day per inmate for meals. Anyone who thinks that is cheap consider the Philippines spends $1 a day per inmate for 3 meals. If you are in a cell at the police station they do not feed you at all and you have to provide your own food.

Thank You Free Dox! Love from Louisville Kentucky USA! Recovering from COVID19 Love and Respect

Free Documentary is the bomb. Love your vids!

I check everyday for a new behind bars episode! Thank you for giving me one for my birthday!

Became favourite RU-vid channel , you guys are great, thanks for great videos.

keep coming to uploading these documentary!!

Great video again, thx :) 👌

Escaping from that prison looks almost impossible. But that's what they said about Alcatraz...

seems like a pretty nice prison to me. The pay for the workers is really good too. Many times more than what inmates can make in most US Prisons.

Great documentary. ..thank you 👍👌

Watched this entire video.... still no clue why it's on a list of the "World's Toughest Prisons"

Although the Maldives seems to have overly harsh penal sentences, this prison seems modern, clean and humane compared to most.

I love watching these behind bars episodes. You can really learn a lot from them

You made my day better with this video :)

Keep uploading prison documentaries.. tnx

Thank you for posting this! I'll keep my boring...and free lifestyle

Seems to me like the video is just trying it's best to show this in a negative light. It does not seem terrible at all. The hygiene, food, and facilities all seem okay. They're not as terrible as most prisons. The only problem with the prison revolve around lack of space and that is a larger issue for the entire country. They just don't have space.

Great documentary🙏.

Please do a documentary on behind bars: kamiti maximum prison. Nairobi, Kenya.

conditions in this prison look much better than other prisons in southern countries, such as Madagascar, compared to it this is sanatorium

Keep the toughest prison documentary’s coming. Love watching. Thank you. 🤙

Yes I'm early I love these merry Xmas happy new year to me thank u free docu series ppl!!!!$$$$

More of these please

Never too late for this channel's contents

just can wait to see those episodes ....even i have the bell activated , i am checking almost daily for new behind bars

Excellent,very interesting!

This nothing in front of madagascar documentary, that documentary is living hell

The narrator is right: four kilometres is too far to swim (with that kind of negative attitude)… Clearly he’s never tried to escape from prison in a tropical paradise. Everyone knows you just have to grab onto a dolphin’s fin and enjoy the ride, duh… I’m pretty sure that Disney even made an animated movie about it back in the day - The Little Maldivian Prison Break or something… There was a mermaid, a crab, the whole crew~ Or was that Ocean’s Eleven?

I have been watching behand bar since the beginning of Covid-19. but this jail much better comparing to some other country despite the country's poverty

please....more more like this...like very toughest prison

I now get excited for Sunday evenings 🎉🎉

Ok the drug sentences are only tough here if you dont have connections. Corruption gets you out before it even reaches the court phase. Its messed up as hell here.

They tried to make it sound like a Tough Prison but you can see nothing is going on, the prisoners are well behaved, no gangs, no Drugs, no weapons, Just boredom is the only problem LOL

Great episode. Madagascar is my favorite!

Very well organized Prison

Nice the tourist and criminals on the same island. What a paradise!

every single documentary is soo great, you guys are better then most of media channels out there

More prison shows please (and thank you!)

Cool documentaries

I live in maldives and seeing this makes me really proud.

Ok I’m really surprised how good the conditions are. It’s clean, and only 800 inmates. Jails in Canada are much more populated. Too bad the county hasn’t evolved, those sentences are ridiculous.

Quality documents ✊🤝

Bring more of prison documentarys please

Hope you guys had a great Christmas happy new year freedoc x

Indeed a different world

New one! Yay

Wow they have got nice fresh air and beautiful scenery 😍 👌

Im proud to be a maldivian 🇲🇻🇲🇻

I love this kind of documentaries...very informative 👍

Best wishes & happy Xmas to all documentry channel 😀 ❤

Sounds like a place to stay away from. You would figure someone would get a basketball. Was interesting to watch. Great video

This is like on a summer camp they have a good cell and comfort rooms.

Love these programs keep them coming please .......

Thanks for making this I'm from Maldives and the only videos I can find is just resort videos this was very entertaining 😊

Thanks ❤️

Just give them a damn ball!

I need prison documentary of Dubai and Saudi Arabia !

SOLID DOCUMENTARY KEEPSAFE GODBLESS TEAM