El Salvador’s maximum security prison CECOT (Centre for the Confinement of Terrorism) has a reputation which precedes itself, but seeing the reality for yourself really is a jolt to the system.

The facility, which was opened in 2023, is one of the largest prisons in the world which currently houses tens of thousands of people accused of having gang affiliations.

President Nayib Bukele, 43, opened CECOT in an effort to stomp out gangs and organised crime in the central American nation, however, human rights groups aren’t a fan of the place.

Controversially, US President Donald Trump recently floated the idea of sending foreign citizens who had been convicted in the States there.

The conditions at El Salvador’s mega-prison are brutal (MARVIN RECINOS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Inmates at ‘worst prison on Earth’ must abide by same strict rule as Trump looks to send US citizens there

‘Inhumane rules’ inside ‘world’s worst prison’ where Trump could now send US citizens

Inside, inmates are crammed into endless rows of bare metal bunks – without the luxury of a mattress – while they’re forced to have their heads shaved every five days.

As well as following a host of other strict rules, prisoners aren’t permitted to use cutlery and eat with their hands, while each person locked up has to wear a white t-shirt and shorts during their incarceration.

And if you think that sounds bad, just wait until you hear about CECOT’s solitary confinement.

A handful of journalists have been granted access inside the prison since it opened, including Turkish YouTuber and documentary maker Ruhi Çenet.

In a video documenting his visit to the mega-prison shared earlier this month, the content creator discussed how the ‘entire design’ of CECOT ‘doesn’t just prevent escape, it erases the very idea of it’.

He said: “Those who enter this prison are destined to never leave here. This massive prison is made up of eight separate modules spread over 410 acres of land.

YouTuber Ruhi Çenet gave people a tour of the tiny solitary confinement cell at CECOT (YouTube/Ruhi Cenet)

“Each pair of modules is enclosed by two separate 3-meter-high walls with razor wire. The entire facility is surrounded by a towering 9-meter-high wall with a 3-meter-high electric fence carrying 15,000 volts.

“Nineteen watchtowers are ensuring nothing escapes notice,” he added.

And if there’s one thing that’s sure to kill any dreams of escaping among prisoners, it’s got to be the solitary confinement cell.

Ruhi explained that inmates are put inside the claustrophobic rooms for misbehaving, adding: “He won’t know the time or how much longer he’ll be kept inside for – days or even weeks.

“He sleeps on this concrete bed without ever leaving. They are cut off from the outside world, left alone with nothing but their thoughts.”

A guard accompanying the content creator, who visits ‘hard-to-reach places’ around the globe, explained more about solitary confinement at CECOT.

This tiny hole in the ceiling is the only source of light and fresh air (YouTube/Ruhi Cenet)

“If inmates break a rule they can be sent to these isolation cells, according to the legislation,” the prison worker said. “The law gives me the right to keep the prisoners in isolation for up to 15 days.

“These cells have sealed doors,” the guard explained. “Through this grid, I can see them and identify who’s inside.”

Food is also served through this opening, while inmates also have to put their hands through it to be cuffed when they are moved to and from the solitary cell.

It’s pitch black inside of it, as there’s only a single small hole in the ceiling, which serves as the room’s only source of light Ruhi said ‘barely lets the sunshine in.’

The guard continued: “Inside, you don’t even see your hands. So when someone is isolated, it is necessary for them to have something – a book, anything to keep their mind clear. But here they don’t have access to any of that.

“No matter how tough a criminal is, this kind of isolation breaks them. This is necessary for the type of offenders that we have here.”

“They can ask for forgiveness and may God forgive them. But here, justice must be served for so many victims. It’s the least they deserve.”

Facing up to a fortnight staring at this blank concrete canvas is surely enough to scare the inmates into submission.