A prison designed like a star. That is the Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa. Today we will discover its secrets.
The Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa stands before us. It is more than just a prison. It is a monument of public interest with a long history. This prison is located in Lisbon. It has capacity for 1300 inmates. The Tribunal de Execuções das Penas de Lisboa oversees it.
Construction began in 1873. This followed the Penal and Prison Reform of 1867. The reform aimed to create three penitentiary prisons in Portugal. Lisbon’s prison was to have 500 cells for men. It was situated outside the city at the time. The first prisoners arrived in 1895.
The prison’s design reflects the panoptic radial system. This was cutting-edge for inmate housing and surveillance. Instead of a circular layout the prison is star-shaped. Six wings with four floors each converge on a central corridor. This design allows for easy monitoring of each wing. Buildings around the main structure were added later.
From above the Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa resembles a six-pointed star. Álvaro Cunhal used this image in his novel A Estrela de Seis Pontas. He wrote under the pseudonym Manuel Tiago.
Architecturally the Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa exhibits Neo-Medieval style. It features battlements arched openings and towers. These details contrast with the modern design concepts inside.
The design intended to keep inmates separate. The Reforma Penal e de Prisões of 1867 introduced this. Continuous cell confinement aimed for absolute separation day and night. There was to be no communication between prisoners. Inmates were expected to work in their cells. Any activity outside had to occur without contact with others.
The Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa includes several buildings. There is a gatehouse and guard facilities. The main building houses the prison administration. It also has guard headquarters functional area technicians and administrative services. There is a prison zone with round sectors and wings. Service areas include the kitchen pantry and laundry. Clinical services and a staff mess hall are also present.
The Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa is scheduled to close in 2026. The plan is to transfer inmates to other prisons.
Over the years there have been changes. The wings once held different types of inmates. Some wings housed drug addicts in a drug-free program. Other wings held workers students or those in vocational training. Some wings contained inmates serving medium sentences. Some contained inmates in disciplinary or security sectors. Still other wings housed convicts with longer sentences.
The Estabelecimento Prisional de Lisboa stands as a testament to evolving ideas about incarceration. Its architecture reflects both modern design and historical influences. As we conclude our tour remember its historical and cultural importance.