Saint Joseph Island -- Part One

During the school holidays at the end of October, Jack and I were able to set foot on Saint Joseph Island for the first time since our arrival in French Guiana. It is the second largest of the Salvation Islands after Royal Island but is uninhabited today except for a small army team responsible for maintenance. (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

Saint Joseph Island is a real Caribbean gem, but it is very small. In fact, it only took us an hour to go around the entire island.

Here's a picture with Royal Island on the left (where our hotel is located) and the infamous Devil's Island on the right.

During the penal colony period, Saint Joseph was much closer to hell than the island paradise it is today. The convicts had to build all the buildings and roads on Saint Joseph and this one leads to the ruins of the prison cells.

Contrary to Royal Island, Saint Joseph was used for isolated confinement as a means to punish the toughest and most dangerous prisoners... but Napoleon III also used it to exile his political enemies.

Here's one of the confinement cells, today full of wild vegetation. At the time of the penal colony, these cells were kept in darkness by thick walls and roof. There was also no furniture or bed and only two pans-- one for food and the other for going to the bathroom. Silence was imposed and if the prisoners attempted to talk to the guards or other prisoners, their isolation confinement got prolonged.

Malnutrition and disease usually killed the convicts before their time in confinement expired. 

It's hard to imagine the French prison wardens once pacing up and down this corridor. Today the jungle has reclaimed its right to stand guard over this morbid place of memory.