Behind bars

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Lenzburg Prison – wing Lenzburg Prison, built in 1864, is the oldest one still in operation in Switzerland. swissinfo.ch

Lenzburg Prison – cell seen from above Detainees accumulate many personal items over the years. This type of cell is 2.1 x 2.4 metres wide, 3.4 x 3.6m long, and 3m high. In earlier times, it was forbidden to pull down the bed during the day. swissinfo.ch

Lenzburg Prison – free time The recreation area is made up of 153 cells, 59 workshops, 25 segregation units and cells for the ill. The wall was raised to 8m in 2005 and the prison is currently being extended. swissinfo.ch

Zurich Prison – cell from above One of 25 single cells with a bed, table and toilet. These are generally reserved for women and minors. swissinfo.ch

Champ-Dollon Prison, Geneva – shared cell One of 38 such cells in the men's wing. These units were designed for three people, but have been adapted for five or even more. The inmates share the television. Photos and graffiti serve as decoration. swissinfo.ch

Champ-Dollon Prison, Geneva – cell from above One of 138 individual cells in the men's wing. These have been changed into "doubles" and measure 12m². They have windows looking onto the interior courtyard. This photo shows a computer, a radio and even a small fridge. swissinfo.ch

Champ-Dollon Prison - panorama Opened in 1977, this prison is one of the largest of its kind in Switzerland. It has five male wings (244 places), and one womens' unit (26 places). But it is chronically overcrowded. In January 2009 a record was broken - 502 inmates. Peter Schulthess

SITRAK, high security prison – cell One of eight cells in the high security jail for violent prisoners, which is next to Lenzburg prison. Furniture is made of cement, even the chair. A reinforced glass opening in the ceiling allows for observation of the inmates.

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A glimpse of conditions in Swiss prisons.

The photographer Peter Schulthess spent a year visiting 28 jails across the country for his book “Behind bars – prisons and detention centres in Switzerland” (2006).