Situated on the pint-sized island of Sark, nestled between France and England, is the world’s tiniest prison, a quaint relic from 1856 boasting just two cells. Despite Sark’s diminutive size—measuring under 5 kilometers long and 1.6 kilometers wide—and its scant population of fewer than 600 residents, this minuscule correctional facility holds the Guinness World Record for its compactness.
This diminutive penitentiary, bereft of cars, roads, or streetlights, features two cells connected by a narrow corridor. The cells, one measuring 6 feet by 6 feet and the other 6 feet by 8 feet, offer basic amenities—a small wooden bed with a thin mattress—befitting its limited occupancy. Inmates find themselves lodged here for a maximum of two days before being transferred to larger facilities on neighboring Guernsey Island.
The prison’s inception dates back to 1856, following a lengthy delay due to financial constraints despite a court order for its construction in 1832. Since its completion, the facility has remained in use, albeit infrequently, serving as a temporary lodging for the occasional unruly tourist or intoxicated local.
Among its more colorful guests was Andres Gardes, a French nuclear physicist who fancied himself the rightful sovereign of Sark. Dismissed by authorities, Gardes embarked on a solo invasion, armed with posters proclaiming his claim. His arrival on the island met with swift opposition; the Constable promptly disarmed him, marking an inglorious end to his coup attempt.
Though structurally unaltered, the prison has seen modest improvements, including the addition of electricity and heating, enhancing its comfort level. Nonetheless, it retains its fundamental simplicity, lacking windows to offer glimpses of the island’s scenic vistas.
In a world marked by sprawling penitentiaries and high-tech security measures, Sark’s diminutive prison stands as a charming anomaly—a testament to the island’s unique character and the infrequency of its criminal activity.
