Devil's Island, located off the coast of French Guiana, was infamous for being the primary penal colony of France from its establishment in 1852 until its closure in 1953. It became emblematic of the harsh treatment of prisoners and gained notoriety for its inhumane conditions. Early on, the island housed political prisoners, including Alfred Dreyfus, whose wrongful conviction for treason sparked a major scandal in France and worldwide in the late 19th century. Public outrage over the Dreyfus Affair led to significant political and social changes, including discussions about justice, civil rights, and the treatment of prisoners.

Throughout the years, Devil's Island held many convicts, particularly for crimes against the state. The dreaded reputation of the island was reinforced by accounts of extreme hardship, forced labor, and isolation. The conditions faced by inmates drew attention from human rights advocates, and the landscape of criminal justice began to evolve substantially in the mid-20th century.

By the 1940s and 1950s, public sentiment had shifted, leading to an increasing awareness regarding prison reform across the globe. The closure of the penal colony on Devil's Island was influenced by these changing attitudes. The French government officially announced the end of operations, marking an end to a chapter characterized by cruelty and injustice. The announcement symbolized a crucial period of reflection on the treatment of prisoners and laid the groundwork for reform in France's penal system.