Yelp reviews of jails and prisons
10/26/2015 1:53 pm PDT
In the age of the sharing economy, citizen experts and instant feedback, incarceration has become yet another service for the public to weigh in on.
Whether you're paying a visit, considering employment, looking for gourmet recipes or just doing hard time in stir, there is information at your fingertips about the conditions you can expect at your local lockup.
Here's a sampling of some of the better-known correctional facilities and detention centers across the U.S., and their respective pros and -ahem- cons.
Los Angeles County Jail
Downtown Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 1.5 stars
Notes of interest:
- "The County of Los Angeles suggested I stay here for 3 days. Day 1 I witnessed a man get stabbed with a splintered chicken bone. … Would not recommend LA County Jail. Miss those duchess honey buns though."
Rikers Island Correctional Facility
East Elmhurst, N.Y.
Yelp Rating: 2.5 stars
Notes of interest:
"If you like studying creatures such as bed bugs, lice, and mutant water bugs this is the place."
"Chocolate pudding was great."
- "Major improvements to the facility in terms of smell: as it gets colder, you can't smell the harbor so much."
Cook County Department of Corrections - Chicago
Chicago, Ill.
Yelp Rating: 3 stars
Notes of interest:
"It's almost as if they purposely make your visit as a visitor just as horrible as if you were an inmate."
- "Good service, limited selection but better than other institutions. All in all not worth the trip."
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, Calif.
Yelp Rating: 3 stars
Notes of interest:
- "Great views of the San Francisco Bay. Weather's cool year-round, free food, exercise outdoors in the cool crispy breeze and you're close to the best baseball city in the world!"
Louisiana State Penitentiary
Angola, La.
Yelp Rating: 3.5 stars
Notes of interest:
- "Visitors to the bi-annual rodeo get to be entertained by the prisoners selling handmade furniture and riding bulls in clowns suits...because it makes Louisiana citizens feel better knowing their taxes go to support the largest prison population in the world."
Maricopa County Tent City Jail
Phoenix, Ariz.
Yelp Rating: 3.5 stars
Notes of interest:
- "It has a rustic Korean War ambiance with a hint of modern. Continental breakfast was late the first few weeks and the staff is not very customer service oriented. The security is very good at making sure no one breaks in."
Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary
Leavenworth, Kan.
Yelp Rating: 3.5 stars
Notes of interest:
- "Great place to drive by, but I wouldn't want to live there."
Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Ossining, N.Y.
Yelp Rating: 4 stars
Notes of interest:
"This has to be the best prison in the area! I highly recommend it to criminals downstate."
- "I bought a tank top saying SING SING off some dude in front of the mighty gate, selling merch out of his truck. Seemed legit."
Folsom State Prison
Folsom, Calif.
Yelp rating: 4 stars
Notes of interest:
- "Folsom State Prison offers world-class accommodations. Complimentary meals, a daily exercise program, wake-up service, and weight room are all included with your stay. Cozy rooms, laundry service and attentive staff come standard. Meet interesting people and create life-long relationships. Take advantage of their limited-time offer: enjoy unlimited access with your third visit!"