Peniche Fortress | Portugal

Following the military coup of May 28th, 1926, the Fortress and Peniche received political prisoners and people under house arrest.

In 1934, the fascist regime established the Peniche Prison, under the direction of the PVDE (State Surveillance and Defense Police). Housed in the old buildings of the Fortress, prisoners were responsible for managing their daily lives—cleaning the barracks, washing their clothes, preparing meals—always closely watched by a corps of the National Republican Guard.

In 1945, control of the prison was transferred to the Ministry of Justice, with control remaining in the hands of the PIDE (International Police for State Defense).

In 1953, work began on a new prison, inspired by the model of American high-security prisons. The work continued until 1961 and involved the demolition of a significant part of the old buildings.

Three prison blocks were built – A, B, and C – and a sophisticated visiting room was built after the demolition of the old one in 1968.

The Visiting Room was the area of the political prison where prisoners received visits from family and friends. Visits took place under enormous tension and could be interrupted at any time by the guards under any pretext. Surveillance of prisoners and their families was not only strict but also intimidating, as the layout of the space prevented any physical contact between prisoners and their families. Prisoners and visitors were forced to speak very loudly so that all conversations could be heard by the guards. Behind each prisoner was a guard always ready to interfere in the conversations. When a guard interrupted a visit, it meant that the prisoner would be punished. The punishment could be suspension of visits, prohibition of recreation, or being sent to the “Segredo,” the dreaded punishment cell at Fortim Redondo.

During the fascist regime, Fortim Redondo was used as a disciplinary cell and, among the political prisoners of Peniche, it became known as “Segredo” (Secret).

With the renovation of the prison, the Peniche Fort Prison was created, marked by the reinforcement of the repressive prison apparatus, a reality that remained until April 25, 1974. Each block and each floor were isolated to prevent contact between prisoners, and two indoor recreation yards were also built.

Of the new buildings, Block C stands out, which housed prisoners in collective cells on the first floor, the infirmary on the second floor, and the High Security Wing on the third floor, where prisoners considered most dangerous by the regime were incarcerated and isolated from the rest of the prison population.

It was from here that the famous collective escape of 1960 took place.