Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

Abandoned Dutch Prison

By Mark McConville

EERIE images have revealed the abandoned remains of the unconventional 14 story towers that were Holland’s experimental “humane” prison.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

Originally fitted without bars on the windows and three gyms, a church and a mosque, haunting pictures now show graffiti scored into the inside of the cell doors, a lone mattress on the floor and even inside the control room where rows of screens still show the complex through the remaining security cameras.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

Other spooky shots show the patient psychiatric centre where it looks more like a hospital and equipment and surgical sinks remain.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

One room features a touch piece of art work where prisoners have left their hand imprint in different colours.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

The stunning snaps were taken at Bijlmerbajes prison in Amsterdam, the Netherlands by local hairdresser Angelique Brunas (44).

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

“I’ve heard this prison would close and I wanted to see what it’s like in the most famous prison in the Netherlands,” she said.

“We spent several weeks gathering the information we needed and took our chance to sneak in.

“Within two minutes we knew our plan failed when security, who were still in the building, noticed us. We explained to a very nice lady what we were planning to do.

“She told us it was ok to take some pictures but that she had to walk with us. I was happy we did get caught as I will never forget some the stories she told us about this prison.”

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

The Bijlmerbajes prison complex permanently closed in June 2016. The building did not originally have bars over the windows as it was designed as a humane prison when it opened in 1978.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

Bars were added when it was discovered the glass was not completely unbreakable. The complex consists of six towers connected by one long tunnel.

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

“We visit many abandoned place and the same questions always pop up while walking around,” added Angelique.

“What happened there, why did it get abandoned, why doesn’t anyone seem to care about all that’s left behind.

“I’m just trying to show that there are so many amazing places we do not know about, most of them are waiting to be taken over by nature.”

Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com
Angelique Brunas / mediadrumworld.com

For more information see Angelique’s website.