Văcărești Prison

Văcărești Prison (Romanian: Închisoarea Văcărești, also Penitenciarul Văcărești, known euphemistically as Mandravela) was a penal facility located in the eponymous quarter of southern Bucharest, Romania, and developed around Văcărești Monastery. It originally extended the latter's functions as a jail in the autonomous realm of Wallachia, emerging as a major processing center for political detainees after the Wallachian Revolution of 1848. In 1864, shortly after the Romanian Principality had been established, the monastery was confiscated by the state; it became a leading state prison in 1865. Though its regime was largely permissive and centered on penal reform for common criminals, Văcărești came to be used in isolating opposition politicians—initially from the liberal camp. These functions were enhanced under the Kingdom of Romania (1881–1948). In quick succession, Văcărești hosted groups associated with the Social Democratic Workers' Party and the peasant rioters of 1907. The institution was traditionally scrutinized by critics for its overcrowding, inadequate plumbing, allegations of mistreatment and corruption, as well as its controversial role in pre-trial detention—which left arrestees in close proximity to hardened criminals. Penal labor was used in various ways, including some that provided material benefits to the inmates; the Obregia psychiatric hospital, located in

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