Episode 1
Brazil: The Gang Prison
53m6.8 / 10
Investigative journalist Raphael Rowe spends a few days -- both as a guard and a prisoner -- inside Brazil's gang-filled Porto Velho Penitentiary.
Where to watch Inside the World's Toughest Prisons
TV series
Inside the World's Toughest Prisons
2016TV-MA7 seasons7.1 / 10
Crime journalist Raphael Rowe goes behind the bars of some of the world’s most notorious and toughest prisons. Immersing himself in maximum security facilities around the world to live as a prisoner, he encounters the inmates locked up for their crimes and meets the men and women on the right side of law tasked with keeping the criminals behind bars.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Inside the World's Toughest Prisons is available to stream on Netflix in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
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Synopsis
Crime journalist Raphael Rowe goes behind the bars of some of the world’s most notorious and toughest prisons. Immersing himself in maximum security facilities around the world to live as a prisoner, he encounters the inmates locked up for their crimes and meets the men and women on the right side of law tasked with keeping the criminals behind bars.
Season 2 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 2
Ukraine: The Prison in a War Zone
50m7.3 / 10
Ukraine's Zhytomyr Prison is operated with a skeleton crew that allows prisoners to freely roam the grounds -- often with potentially dangerous weapons.
Where to watch Inside the World's Toughest Prisons
Episode 3
Papua New Guinea: The Breakout Prison
50m7.0 / 10
Raphael Rowe visits the short-staffed Bomana Prison in Papua New Guinea, where near-constant food shortages keep the facility on the brink of chaos.
Where to watch Inside the World's Toughest Prisons
Episode 4
Belize: The Prison That Found God
51m7.0 / 10finale
In Belize Central Prison, the inmates are told that rehabilitation comes through God. Raphael Rowe investigates if this evangelical approach works.
Where to watch Inside the World's Toughest PrisonsEpisode information updated Jul 24, 2026
More about Inside the World's Toughest Prisons
Cast
Paul ConnollyHimself
Raphael RoweHimselfProduction details
- Status
- Returning Series
- Series type
- Documentary
- Episodes
- 27
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
5United Kingdom
Netflix- Emporium ProductionsUnited Kingdom
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