French Guiana - Iles du Salut
The three Iles du Salut (Islands of Salvation) off the coast of French Guiana were a much-feared penal colony for the most notorious French criminals between 1852 and 1953. We visited Ile Royale, the largest of the three, which housed the general population of the worst prisoners. Less violent criminals were sent to work camps on mainland Guiana, violent and repeat offenders to nearby Ile Saint Joseph to serve in solitary confinement, and political prisoners to Ile du Diable (Devil's Island) a short distance away. Ile Royale, largest of the three islands, is a mere 1/8 square mile. Located seven miles off the mainland coast, prisoners here lived in "moderate freedom" because it was deemed inescapable. That said, more than 50% of the prisoners died in their first year from malnutrition, tropical diseases, harsh treatment, murder, execution, and failed escape attempts. The islands are only accessible by boat. Once ashore at Ile Royale, we walked in the ...