Ushuaia Penitentiary in Ushuaia
Ushuaia Monuments and Historic Buildings: Ushuaia Penitentiary
In 1896 the Argentine authorities decided to create a penal colony for recidive offenders on the Ushuaia Bay and a first group of 14 inmates were sent to what was then a remote and inospitable location: the aim was to create a colony in the area, using the inmates' work to settle it and afterwards to provide services for those who would move in the area.
In 1902 the Military prison that used to be in Isla de Los Estados was also moved in the area and merged with the first, and work was begun on the Penitentiary as we see it currently. This was completed in the 1920s and was composed of five pavillions sporting 76 cells each: these were originally designed to host a single inmate, but at some point the penitentiary had a population of over 600. The prison was closed in 1947, and the whole area became a Naval base in 1950.
Today the whole building has been restored and renovated, and it is the seat of the Maritime Museum andis one of the towns iconic structures.