Adra Central Prison

Adra Central Prison, located northeast of Damascus, is Syria's largest civilian prison and the main pre-trial detention facility in the Damascus area. Unlike the military intelligence facilities, Adra was officially a civilian prison under the Ministry of Interior and held both common criminals and political detainees. After 2011 it became severely overcrowded with political prisoners. Conditions documented by Human Rights Watch include extreme overcrowding, denial of medical care, and deaths in custody. It was briefly captured by rebel forces in 2013 before being retaken by government forces. Prisoners were released when rebel forces opened it in December 2024.

Notable Events

• ▸2013 rebel capture and hostage crisis
• ▸2024 liberation by rebel forces

Known Officials

• ◆Various Ministry of Interior directors