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{{Location infobox
  
{{Location infobox
 
|name=Azkaban
  
|name=Azkaban
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|image=[[File:Akaban Fortress.JPG|250px]]
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|image=[[File:Prisons-200412-azkaban.jpg|250px]]
 
|bgcolor1=
  
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{{quote|They don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners in, not when they're trapped inside their own heads, incapable of a single cheerful thought. Most go mad within weeks.|[[Remus Lupin]] on Azkaban|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
  
{{quote|They don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners in, not when they're trapped inside their own heads, incapable of a single cheerful thought. Most go mad within weeks.|[[Remus Lupin]] on Azkaban|Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban}}
   
−
'''Azkaban''' is a prison located on an island in the middle of the [[North Sea]] that serves the [[magic]]al community of [[Great Britain]]. Using certain [[Charm]]s, the prison is hidden from the muggle world, and is [[Unplottability|unplottable]]. It is thought to have undetectable extension charms placed on it (or similar types of magic) to make it bigger on the inside, as the prison seems to serve the whole of wizarding Britain. It is known that there are other [[wizardkind|wizard]]ing prisons elsewhere, such as [[Nurmengard]].
 +
'''Azkaban''', also known as '''Azkaban Prison''' is a prison on an island in the middle of the [[North Sea]]. It serves the [[magic]]al community of [[Great Britain]] as a penitentiary for convicted criminals.
   
  +
Using certain [[Charm]]s, Azkaban is hidden from the muggle world, and is [[Unplottability|unplottable]]. It is thought to have undetectable extension charms placed on it (or similar types of magic) to make it bigger on the inside, as the prison seems to serve the whole of wizarding Britain.
⚫
Azkaban gained a reputation as a horrible place, mostly due to the prison's guards: [[Dementor]]s, foul creatures that suck the happiness out of the victim and cause great suffering to those in their proximity. Because of this, most of the prisoners eventually went insane and slowly [[Death|died]] under the Dementors' influence. Since [[1710s|1717]], using any of the three [[Unforgivable Curses]] on another human being has carried a punishment of a life sentence in Azkaban (unless there is sufficient evidence that the caster did so under the influence of the [[Imperius Curse]], or legal exceptions made by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] as in the case of Aurors in the [[First Wizarding War]]).
  
  +
  +
Other wizarding prisons exist, such as [[Nurmengard]] (which was used exclusively to hold its creator [[Gellert Grindelwald]]), Azkaban is the only known fortress to be the "official" holding ground for wizarding criminals.
  +
  +
== Overview ==
  ⚫
Azkaban gained a reputation as a horrible place, mostly due to the prison's guards: [[Dementor]]s, foul creatures that suck the happiness out of the victim and cause great suffering to those near them. Because of this, most of the prisoners eventually went insane and slowly [[Death|died]] under the Dementors' influence. Since [[1710s|1717]], using any of the three [[Unforgivable Curses]] on another human being has carried a punishment of a life sentence in Azkaban (unless there is sufficient evidence that the caster did so under the influence of the [[Imperius Curse]], or legal exceptions made by the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] as in the case of Aurors in the [[First Wizarding War]]).
   
 
==Security==
  
==Security==
 
===Pre-1998===
  
===Pre-1998===
−
[[File:Mass_Breakout.jpg|thumb|left|220px|The ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' announcing the 1996 mass break-out.]]
 +
[[File:Daily_prophet_bellatrix.jpg|thumb|left|145px|The ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' announcing the 1996 mass break-out]]
  +
 
Azkaban was guarded by [[Dementor]]s until most of them revolted and joined [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] in summer of [[1995]]. As a result, Voldemort's [[Death Eaters]] [[Azkaban escapes#1996|escaped]] en masse to rejoin their master in both [[1996]] and [[1997]].<ref name="OTP">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
  
Azkaban was guarded by [[Dementor]]s until most of them revolted and joined [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] in summer of [[1995]]. As a result, Voldemort's [[Death Eaters]] [[Azkaban escapes#1996|escaped]] en masse to rejoin their master in both [[1996]] and [[1997]].<ref name="OTP">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''</ref>
   
 
There is most likely an Anti-Apparation jinx on Azkaban; if there were not, wizards and witches could simply Apparate from the prison to the outside world. However, since it is debatable that most witches and wizards need a wand to Apparate, this may be irrelevant, as none of the prisoners maintain possession of their wands. Before 1995, most of the prisoners would barely have had enough strength to Apparate anyway, as the mere presence of Dementors, particularly in large numbers, inhibits the use of magical powers.
  
There is most likely an Anti-Apparation jinx on Azkaban; if there were not, wizards and witches could simply Apparate from the prison to the outside world. However, since it is debatable that most witches and wizards need a wand to Apparate, this may be irrelevant, as none of the prisoners maintain possession of their wands. Before 1995, most of the prisoners would barely have had enough strength to Apparate anyway, as the mere presence of Dementors, particularly in large numbers, inhibits the use of magical powers.
   
−
Prior to the Dementors' revolt, the only people ever to [[Azkaban escapes|escape]] the prison were [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr]] and [[Sirius Black]], in [[1982]] and [[1993]], respectively. Barty Crouch Jr. was smuggled out by his father, [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]], and replaced by his dying [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.'s mother|mother]] using [[Polyjuice Potion]]<ref name="GOF">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref>, while Sirius was able to escape by changing into his [[Animagus]] form of a dog.<ref name="POA">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''</ref> The revolt has severely compromised the security, as multiple escapes were made with no more Dementors guarding the prison.
 +
Before the Dementors' revolt, the only people ever to [[Azkaban escapes|escape]] the prison were [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr]] and [[Sirius Black]], in [[1982]] and [[1993]], respectively. Barty Crouch Jr. was smuggled out by his father, [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]], and replaced by his dying [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.'s mother|mother]] using [[Polyjuice Potion]]<ref name="GOF">''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''</ref>, while Sirius was able to escape by changing into his [[Animagus]] form of a dog.<ref name="POA">''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''</ref> The revolt has severely compromised the security, as multiple escapes were made with no more Dementors guarding the prison; the Ministry continued omitting certain facts to maintain their facade of having everything under control, including keeping one breakout a secret.
   
  +
[[File:Dementors_mass.png|thumb|240px|Dementors the guards ]]
−
[[File:Bellatrix Lestrange - Prisoner at Azkaban.gif|thumb|250px|right|[[Bellatrix Lestrange]] in her Azkaban cell.]]
  
  +
⚫
There is a graveyard outside the wall of Azkaban where the Dementors buried prisoners who died. Although the prison is set in the middle of the ocean with iron walls protecting it, it was unnecessary to keep prisoners inside, as [[Remus Lupin]] stated, because the prisoners were already trapped in their own heads due to the intense depression caused by the Dementors. As Sirius indicated, most prisoners went insane after a short while, and some even stopped eating, preferring death to their lives within Azkaban. Dementors fed the prisoners, indicating the prisoners might have felt depression at mealtimes.
  
  +
There is a graveyard outside the wall of Azkaban where the Dementors buried prisoners who died. However, if the dead prisoner has a relative who is not a criminal, the relative in question has the right to pick up the corpse for a proper burial, as [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.|Barty Crouch Sr.]] had the right to pick up [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.'s mother|the body]] that was disguised as [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|his son]], though he chose not to due to fear of being exposed of committing a jailbreak.
  +
  ⚫
Although the prison is in the middle of the ocean with iron walls protecting it, it was unnecessary to keep prisoners inside, as [[Remus Lupin]] stated, because the prisoners were already trapped in their own heads due to the intense depression caused by the Dementors. As Sirius indicated, most prisoners went insane after a short while, and some even stopped eating, preferring death to their lives within Azkaban. Dementors fed the prisoners, indicating the prisoners might have felt depression at mealtimes.
  +
  +
Visits to the island are heavily restricted, as only respectable Ministry officials were noted to be allowed to visit any possible relatives. An example is when Barty Crouch Sr. and his wife were allowed a deathbed visit to their imprisoned son due to the former's high status in the government; they took advantage of this privilege to smuggle Barty Jr. out of prison.<ref name="GOF" /> The [[Minister of Magic]] is also allowed to visit the prison, as to check out on certain prisoners for their conditions, as [[Cornelius Fudge]] did on [[Sirius Black]].<ref name="POA" />
   
 
It is not known whether wizards made the Azkaban island magically, or whether it was an existing ordinary rock island which wizards took over. If the latter is the case, when the sea level was lower in the {{wplink|Ice Age}} it would have been a rock hill standing above {{wplink|tundra}} which is now the bed of the North Sea.
  
It is not known whether wizards made the Azkaban island magically, or whether it was an existing ordinary rock island which wizards took over. If the latter is the case, when the sea level was lower in the {{wplink|Ice Age}} it would have been a rock hill standing above {{wplink|tundra}} which is now the bed of the North Sea.
   
 
===After the war===
  
===After the war===
  +
[[File:Kingsley_Shacklebolt_Profile.JPG|thumb|left|125px|[[Kingsley Shacklebolt]], [[Minister for Magic]], did way with dementors as guards]]
⚫
After the end of the [[Second Wizarding War]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]]'s appointment as [[Minister for Magic]] in [[1998]], dementors were no longer employed as guards of Azkaban. This is likely because they had proven to be untrustworthy, and because the depression and madness their presence caused in prisoners is considered inhumane. Presumably, other security measures were employed to guard the prisoners, most likely far more humane. It is unknown how many surviving Voldemort supporters and Death Eaters were imprisoned in the aftermath.
  
  +
  ⚫
After the end of the [[Second Wizarding War]] and [[Kingsley Shacklebolt]]'s appointment as [[Minister for Magic]] in [[1998]], dementors were no longer employed as guards of Azkaban. This is likely because they had proven to be untrustworthy, and because the depression and madness their presence caused in prisoners is considered inhumane.
  +
  +
Presumably, other security measures were employed to guard the prisoners, most likely far more humane. It is unknown how many surviving Voldemort supporters and Death Eaters were imprisoned in the aftermath. Them aside, any Ministry officials who knowingly and willingly went with Voldemort's ideologies during the time when the Ministry was under his control, mainly the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]], were sentenced to Azkaban, the most prominent being [[Dolores Umbridge]], for her crimes against humanity (more specifically, Muggle-borns).
   
 
==Known Azkaban convicts==
  
==Known Azkaban convicts==
−
{{Quote|We have confirmed that ten high security prisoners, in the early hours of yesterday evening, did escape. And of course, the Muggle [[Prime Minister]] has been alerted to the danger. We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban; notorious mass murderer [[Sirius Black]], cousin of the escapee [[Bellatrix Lestrange]].|[[Cornelius Fudge]] interview to the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'' about the Azkaban Mass Breakout of January 1996|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}
 +
{{Quote|We have confirmed that ten high security prisoners, in the early hours of yesterday evening, did escape. And of course, the Muggle [[Prime Minister]] has been alerted to the danger. We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban; notorious mass murderer [[Sirius Black]], cousin of the escapee [[Bellatrix Lestrange]].|[[Cornelius Fudge]] interview to the ''[[Daily Prophet]]'', January 1996|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)}}
−
<gallery orientation="portrait" position="center" spacing="small" widths="65" captionalign="center" captionsize="small" bordercolor="#000000">
  
⚫
File:black_prison.jpg|[[Sirius Black]]
  
−
File:BartyCrouchJrInterrogation.jpg|[[Bartemius Crouch Jr.|Barty Crouch Jr.]]
  
⚫
File:CarlottaPinkstoneFWC1.jpg|[[Carlotta Pinkstone]]
  
−
File:Karkaroff Close-Up.jpg|[[Igor Karkaroff]]
  
⚫
File:Dolohov1998.jpg|[[Antonin Dolohov]]
  
⚫
File:Bella.jpg|[[Bellatrix Lestrange]]
  
⚫
Rodolphus Lestrange mark.jpg|[[Rodolphus Lestrange]]
  
−
Crispin Cronk.jpg|[[Crispin Cronk]]
  
⚫
File:Mundungus.png|[[Mundungus Fletcher]]
  
−
Nott1.jpg|[[Nott Sr.]]
  
⚫
File:Hagrid.jpg|[[Rubeus Hagrid]]
  
⚫
File:StanShunpike.jpg|[[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]]
  
⚫
File:LuciusAzkaban.jpg|[[Lucius Malfoy]]
  
⚫
Walden Macnair.jpg|[[Walden Macnair]]
  
−
File:Crabbesnr.PNG|[[Crabbe]]
  
⚫
File:Dolores Umbridge.PNG|[[Dolores Umbridge]]
  
−
</gallery>
  
   
  +
−
{|width="100%" border="1" class="wikitable"
 +
{| class="wikitable" border="1" width="100%"
−
|-bgcolor="#cccccc"
 +
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
−
!width="15%" align="center"|Prisoner
 +
! align="center" width="15%" |Prisoner
−
!width="30%" align="center"|Current status
 +
! align="center" width="30%" |Current status
−
!width="55%" align="center"|Crime(s)
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! align="center" width="55%" |Crime(s)
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Avery Jr.]]
  
  ⚫
[[Carlotta Pinkstone]]
  +
  +
[[File:CarlottaPinkstoneFWC2.jpg|thumb|left|189x189px]]
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
  +
Unknown sentence,but possibly a large one.
  ⚫
|Imprisoned for her repeated and deliberate violations of the [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy]].
  +
|-
  ⚫
|[[Avery (Marauder-era)|Avery]]
  ⚫
|Unknown
  +
Possible life sentence.
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Sirius Black]]
  
  ⚫
[[Sirius Black]]
  +
  +
[[File:Sirius-black-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban-movie-mobile-wallpaper-1080x1920-9281-3248831100.jpg|thumb|left|172x172px]]
 
|[[Azkaban escapes#1993|Escaped]] (only actual unassisted escape from Azkaban while the Dementors were guarding it); now deceased
  
|[[Azkaban escapes#1993|Escaped]] (only actual unassisted escape from Azkaban while the Dementors were guarding it); now deceased
  +
Life imprisonment for alleged murder of 12 Muggles and a wizard,the sentence was revoked when proved he was innocent, although he died before it.
 
|Framed: imprisoned without trial after being falsely accused of murdering [[Peter Pettigrew]] and a dozen other innocent by-standing [[Muggle]]s, life sentence; now vindicated
  
|Framed: imprisoned without trial after being falsely accused of murdering [[Peter Pettigrew]] and a dozen other innocent by-standing [[Muggle]]s, life sentence; now vindicated
 
|-
  
|-
−
|[[Crabbe|Crabbe Sr.]]
 +
|[[Crabbe]]
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Bartemius Crouch Jr.]]
 +
[[Bartemius Crouch Jr.]]
⚫
|[[Azkaban escapes#1982|Smuggled out by his parents]]; later received the [[Dementor's Kiss]]
  
  +
  +
[[File:Barty_Crouch,_Jr.jpg|thumb|left|188x188px]]
  +
|Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse
  ⚫
[[Azkaban escapes#1982|Smuggled out by his parents]]; later received the [[Dementor's Kiss]]
 
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] with the [[Cruciatus Curse]] and murdering [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.]], life sentence.
  
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] with the [[Cruciatus Curse]] and murdering [[Bartemius Crouch Sr.]], life sentence.
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Crispin Cronk]]
  
|[[Crispin Cronk]]
 
|Deceased
  
|Deceased
  +
Possible large sentence for illegally owning a dangerous animal.
 
|Had pet [[Sphinx]]es in his backyard.
  
|Had pet [[Sphinx]]es in his backyard.
 
|-
  
|-
Line 87: Line 103:
 
|Served time in place of her son, Barty Crouch Jr.
  
|Served time in place of her son, Barty Crouch Jr.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Antonin Dolohov]]
 +
[[Antonin Dolohov]]
⚫
|Escaped in the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; later defeated by [[Filius Flitwick]] in battle (either dead or re-imprisoned)
  
  +
  ⚫
[[File:Dolohov1998.jpg|thumb|left|166x166px]]
  +
|Life Sentence
  ⚫
Escaped in the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; later defeated by [[Filius Flitwick]] in battle (either dead or re-imprisoned)
 
|Murdering [[Gideon Prewett|Gideon]] and [[Fabian Prewett]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Murdering [[Gideon Prewett|Gideon]] and [[Fabian Prewett]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Percival Dumbledore]]
 +
[[Percival Dumbledore]]
⚫
|Died during imprisonment
  
  +
  +
[[File:Percival_Dumbledore.png|thumb|left|199x199px]]
  +
|Life Sentence for assaulting a Muggle and breaking the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.
  ⚫
Died during imprisonment
 
|Attacking [[Muggle]]s without a logical explanation (retaliation for what happened to his daughter [[Ariana Dumbledore]]), life sentence.
  
|Attacking [[Muggle]]s without a logical explanation (retaliation for what happened to his daughter [[Ariana Dumbledore]]), life sentence.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Mundungus Fletcher]]
  
  ⚫
[[Mundungus Fletcher]]
−
|No longer imprisoned; unknown how he escaped or if he was released
  
  +
  +
[[File:Mundungus.png|thumb|left|205x205px]]
  +
|Minor sentence for robbery.
  +
No longer imprisoned, was released after serving his sentence.
 
|Impersonating an [[Inferius]] during a robbery.
  
|Impersonating an [[Inferius]] during a robbery.
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Marvolo Gaunt]]
  
|[[Marvolo Gaunt]]
  +
|Sentence of 6 months for assault on officials of Ministry of Magic
−
|Released after serving at least one term; now deceased
 +
Released after serving the term.
 
|Assault on [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] officials, served six months.
  
|Assault on [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]] officials, served six months.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Morfin Gaunt]]
 +
[[Morfin Gaunt]]
⚫
|Died in prison while serving what was at least his second term
  
  +
  +
[[File:HP_quiz_Morfin.jpg|thumb|left]]
  +
|First Sentence:3 years for assaulting Ministry officials and assaulting a Muggle
  +
Second Sentence:Life Sentence for multiple homicide of Muggles using an Unforgivable Curse (frame-up)
  +
  ⚫
Died in prison while serving what was at least his second term
 
|First term: Improper use of magic on a [[Muggle]] and assault on Ministry officials, served three years.<br />Second term: Framed by [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]] for murdering the [[Riddle family]], life sentence.
  
|First term: Improper use of magic on a [[Muggle]] and assault on Ministry officials, served three years.<br />Second term: Framed by [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]] for murdering the [[Riddle family]], life sentence.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Rubeus Hagrid]]
  
  ⚫
[[Rubeus Hagrid]]
⚫
|Released
  
  +
  +
[[File:Rubeus_hagrid.PNG|thumb|left|212x212px|Rubeus Hagrid, current professor of Care of Magical Creatures.]]
  +
|Temporary sentence for suspicion in being involved in re-opening of Chamber of Secrets; released after 2 months.
  ⚫
Released
 
|Framed: Re-opening the [[Chamber of Secrets]], imprisoned as a safety precaution (falsely accused by [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]]); released upon proven innocent.
  
|Framed: Re-opening the [[Chamber of Secrets]], imprisoned as a safety precaution (falsely accused by [[Tom Riddle|Tom Marvolo Riddle]]); released upon proven innocent.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Jugson]]
 +
[[Jugson]]
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Igor Karkaroff]]
 +
[[Igor Karkaroff]]
⚫
|Released; now deceased.
  
  +
  +
[[File:IgorKarkaroff.jpg|thumb|left|182x182px]]
  +
|Life Sentence for allying with Death Eathers and possible crimes with Unforgivable Curses: released in exchange for confidential information
  ⚫
Released; now deceased.
 
|Membership in the [[Death Eaters]]; released in exchange for the names of several other Death Eaters.
  
|Membership in the [[Death Eaters]]; released in exchange for the names of several other Death Eaters.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
⚫
|[[Bellatrix Lestrange]]
  
  ⚫
[[Bellatrix Lestrange]]
⚫
|Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; now deceased
  
  +
  +
[[File:Bellatrix-promo-bellatrix-lestrange-28967541-432-650.jpg|thumb|left|174x174px|Bellatrix]]
  +
|Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multliple homicides using Unforgivable Curses
  ⚫
Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; now deceased
 
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], torturing and killing muggles and wizards, life sentence.
  
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], torturing and killing muggles and wizards, life sentence.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Rabastan Lestrange]]
  
  ⚫
[[Rabastan Lestrange]]
⚫
|Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; may have been re-imprisoned after the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]
  
  +
  +
[[File:RabastanLestrange.png|thumb|left]]
  +
|Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multiple homicides using Unforgivable Curses
  ⚫
Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; may have been re-imprisoned after the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]
 
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Rodolphus Lestrange]]
  
  ⚫
[[Rodolphus Lestrange]]
⚫
|Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; may have been re-imprisoned after the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]
  
  +
  +
[[File:RodolphusLestrange.png|thumb|left]]
  +
|Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multiple homicides using Unforgivable Curses
  ⚫
Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; may have been re-imprisoned after the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]
 
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Torturing [[Frank Longbottom|Frank]] and [[Alice Longbottom]] into insanity through the [[Cruciatus Curse]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Lucius Malfoy]]
  
  ⚫
[[Lucius Malfoy]]
⚫
|[[Azkaban escapes#1997|Escaped from Azkaban]] in [[1997]]; later pardoned
  
  +
  +
[[File:Lucius_Malfoy_Profile.JPG|thumb|left|174x174px]]
  +
|First Sentence:pardoned after convincing the officials that he was under the influence of the Imperius Curse
  +
Second Sentence:Life sentence for being allied with Death Eathers.
  +
  ⚫
[[Azkaban escapes#1997|Escaped from Azkaban]] in [[1997]]; later pardoned
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Walden Macnair]]
  
  ⚫
[[Walden Macnair]]
⚫
|[[Azkaban escapes#1997|Escaped from Azkaban]] in [[1997]]; defeated by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]
  
  +
  +
[[File:Walden_Macnair.jpg|thumb|left|180x180px]]
  +
|Life Sentence
  ⚫
[[Azkaban escapes#1997|Escaped from Azkaban]] in [[1997]]; defeated by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]], re-imprisoned.
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
⚫
|[[Mulciber (Marauder-era)|Mulciber]]
  
  +
[[Mulciber (Marauder-era)|Mulciber]]
⚫
|Escaped during the [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; current status unknown
  
  +
|Life Sentence
  ⚫
Escaped during the [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; current status unknown
 
|Captured prior to [[Igor Karkaroff|Karkaroff's]] trial (possibly for use of the [[Imperius Curse]]); re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Captured prior to [[Igor Karkaroff|Karkaroff's]] trial (possibly for use of the [[Imperius Curse]]); re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Nott]]
 +
[[Nott]]
⚫
|Unknown
  
  +
  +
[[File:Nott1.jpg|thumb|left|150px]]
  +
|Life Sentence
  ⚫
Unknown
 
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Sturgis Podmore]]
 +
[[Sturgis Podmore]]
⚫
|Released
  
  +
|Sentence for 6 months for breaking and entering to Ministry of Magic
  ⚫
Released
 
|Attempting to break into the [[Department of Mysteries]] within the Ministry (actually controlled by [[Lucius Malfoy]]'s [[Imperius Curse]] at the time), served six months.
  
|Attempting to break into the [[Department of Mysteries]] within the Ministry (actually controlled by [[Lucius Malfoy]]'s [[Imperius Curse]] at the time), served six months.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]]
  
  ⚫
[[Stanley Shunpike|Stan Shunpike]]
⚫
|Escaped during the [[Azkaban escapes#1997|mass breakout in 1997]] and controlled by the [[Imperius Curse]]
  
  +
  +
[[File:StanShunpike.jpg|thumb|left|140px]]
  +
|Life Sentence for suspicion of being allied with Death Eaters,brought on false charges to keep the media satisfied.
  ⚫
Escaped during the [[Azkaban escapes#1997|mass breakout in 1997]] and controlled by the [[Imperius Curse]]
 
|Arrested on suspicion of Death Eater activity; kept in custody to make it look like the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] was making progress.
  
|Arrested on suspicion of Death Eater activity; kept in custody to make it look like the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry]] was making progress.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Augustus Rookwood]]
 +
[[Augustus Rookwood]]
⚫
|Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; defeated by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
  
  +
|Life Sentence for working as an double agent and being allied with Death Eaters.
  ⚫
Escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]]; defeated by [[Aberforth Dumbledore]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]].
 
|Spying on the Ministry through his job as an [[Unspeakable]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
  
|Spying on the Ministry through his job as an [[Unspeakable]], life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the [[Battle of the Department of Mysteries]] as a [[Death Eaters|Death Eater]].
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Travers]]
  
|[[Travers]]
  +
|Life Sentence for mass murder using an Unforgivable Curse
⚫
|Unknown
  
  +
Unknown
 
|Murdering the [[Marlene McKinnon|McKinnon family]], life sentence; escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]].
  
|Murdering the [[Marlene McKinnon|McKinnon family]], life sentence; escaped during the January [[1996 Mass Breakout]].
 
|-
  
|-
 
|Muggle-borns
  
|Muggle-borns
  +
|Life Sentence for "theft" of magic,all on false charges,all released after the fall of Voldemort.
−
|Released
  
  +
Released, or killed in imprisonment.
−
|Muggle-borns were arrested when [[Voldemort]] controlled the Ministry
 +
|Muggle-borns were arrested when [[Voldemort]] controlled the Ministry, assuming all survived.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|
−
|[[Dolores Umbridge]]
  
  ⚫
[[Dolores Umbridge]]
⚫
|Imprisoned
  
  +
⚫
|Imprisoned for her crimes against [[Muggle-born]]s as [[Head of Muggle-Born Registration Commission|head]] of the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]].
  
  +
[[File:Dolores_Umbridge_Deathly_Hallows_promotional_image.jpg|thumb|left|140px]]
  +
|Life Sentence for misusing the position in the Ministry of Magic and mass genocide
  ⚫
Imprisoned
  ⚫
|Imprisoned for her crimes against [[Muggle-born]]s as [[Head of Muggle-Born Registration Commission|head]] of the [[Muggle-Born Registration Commission]]. life sentence.
 
|-
  
|-
  +
|[[Tarquin McTavish]] (presumably)
−
|[[Carlotta Pinkstone]]
  
 
|Unknown
  
|Unknown
  +
|Imprisoned for trapping his Muggle [[Tarquin McTavish's neighbour|neighbour]] into a [[Tarquin McTavish's teakettle|teakettle]].
⚫
|Imprisoned for her repeated and deliberate violations of the [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy]].
  
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
==Etymology==
  
==Etymology==
 
[[File:Azkaban-island-uk-cover.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Azkaban in 1993.]]
  
[[File:Azkaban-island-uk-cover.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Azkaban in 1993.]]
−
The name ''Azkaban'' is inspired by the Russian town [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abakan Abakan], which has historically been occupied by various groups of exiles and also draws inspiration from the Prison of Alkatraz off the coast of San Fransisco.
 +
The name ''Azkaban'' is inspired by the Russian town [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abakan Abakan], which has historically been occupied by various groups of exiles and also draws inspiration from the Prison of Alcatraz off the coast of San Francisco.
   
 
==Behind the scenes==
  
==Behind the scenes==
  +
* At least as far as the books are concerned, Azkaban is perhaps the most prolific and detailed location to never appear. It was referenced numerous times throughout the books, but aside from the cover of one copy of the third book, it never appeared in an image in the books. This is because, unlike the movies, the books were told exclusively through the eyes of Harry Potter himself, who never visited or have been in Azkaban.
−
* There is an added scene in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' in which the [[1996]] [[Azkaban escapes#1996|mass breakout]] at Azkaban is shown.
  
−
* In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film]], Azkaban is also on an island, but the island cannot be seen due to the stormy sea.
 +
* There is an added scene in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' in which the [[1996]] [[Azkaban escapes#1996|mass breakout]] at Azkaban is shown. This scene also marks the first and last ever appearance of Azkaban itself.
  +
* In the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film]], Azkaban is also on an island, but the island cannot be seen due to the stormy sea surrounding the tower.
 
* In the front cover of the adult Bloomsbury edition of the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban|third book]], Azkaban is shown to be a rectangular tower, while in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|fifth film]] it is more of a triangular tower.
  
* In the front cover of the adult Bloomsbury edition of the [[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban|third book]], Azkaban is shown to be a rectangular tower, while in the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|fifth film]] it is more of a triangular tower.
−
* It is likely that if Sirius's status as an [[Animagus]] was known, the Ministry would have taken certain precautions to prevent him from transforming to escape. This would mean that Azkaban's security measure is not fully enforced for every situation at all times.
 +
* It is likely that if Sirius's status as an [[Animagus]] was known, the Ministry would have taken certain precautions to prevent him from transforming to escape. This would mean that Azkaban's security measure is not fully enforced for every situation at all times, assuming that the protection with Dementors is pure enough.
−
* Escaping from Azkaban is apparently a very serious crime, punishable by the worse-than-[[death]] [[Dementor's Kiss]]. [[Sirius Black]] was fated to this, if not for him being rescued beforehand, and [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.]] suffered from it when his escape became public. Such a punishment is probably because the escaped prisoners in question are too dangerous to be simply reconfined into the prison, as they could easily escape again.
 +
* Escaping from Azkaban is a serious offense, punishable by the worse-than-[[death]] [[Dementor's Kiss]]. [[Sirius Black]] was fated to this, if not for him being rescued beforehand, and [[Bartemius Crouch Jr.]] suffered from it when his escape became public. Such a punishment is probably because the escaped prisoners in question are too dangerous to be simply reconfined into the prison, as they could easily escape again.
−
* Prisoners from Azkaban have their place card numbers tattoed on their neck.
 +
* Prisoners from Azkaban have their place card numbers tattooed on their neck and have pictures of them taken with their official number.
  +
* There are no human personnel (guards, officials etc.) in Azkaban other than prisoners. All prisoners, as seen in the films, wear white shirts with grey stripes.This is because Dementors are mentioned to be pure enough to contain the prisoners in the walls of the prison and it is most likely that no human personnel would manage to bear working in such a depressed place.
  +
* Access to Azkaban is strictly prohibited to all people except high-ranked Ministry officials, and only them are granted permission to enter the prison and visit prisoners, although this is very rare.
  +
* Azkaban prisoners are brought to prison by Aurors, making Aurors the only officials who regularly visit the prison but only to hand over prisoners. Dawlish was said to be escorting prisoners.
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
Line 203: Line 293:
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' {{Mention}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
  +
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' {{Mention}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
  
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)]]'' {{Mention}}
Line 219: Line 310:
 
==Notes and references==
  
==Notes and references==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
−  
   
 
[[es:Azkaban]]
  
[[es:Azkaban]]

Revision as of 11:09, 26 September 2014

"They don't need walls and water to keep the prisoners in, not when they're trapped inside their own heads, incapable of a single cheerful thought. Most go mad within weeks."
— Remus Lupin on Azkaban[src]

Azkaban, also known as Azkaban Prison is a prison on an island in the middle of the North Sea. It serves the magical community of Great Britain as a penitentiary for convicted criminals.

Using certain Charms, Azkaban is hidden from the muggle world, and is unplottable. It is thought to have undetectable extension charms placed on it (or similar types of magic) to make it bigger on the inside, as the prison seems to serve the whole of wizarding Britain.

Other wizarding prisons exist, such as Nurmengard (which was used exclusively to hold its creator Gellert Grindelwald), Azkaban is the only known fortress to be the "official" holding ground for wizarding criminals.

Overview

Azkaban gained a reputation as a horrible place, mostly due to the prison's guards: Dementors, foul creatures that suck the happiness out of the victim and cause great suffering to those near them. Because of this, most of the prisoners eventually went insane and slowly died under the Dementors' influence. Since 1717, using any of the three Unforgivable Curses on another human being has carried a punishment of a life sentence in Azkaban (unless there is sufficient evidence that the caster did so under the influence of the Imperius Curse, or legal exceptions made by the Ministry of Magic as in the case of Aurors in the First Wizarding War).

Security

Pre-1998

Daily prophet bellatrix

The Daily Prophet announcing the 1996 mass break-out

Azkaban was guarded by Dementors until most of them revolted and joined Lord Voldemort in summer of 1995. As a result, Voldemort's Death Eaters escaped en masse to rejoin their master in both 1996 and 1997.[1]

There is most likely an Anti-Apparation jinx on Azkaban; if there were not, wizards and witches could simply Apparate from the prison to the outside world. However, since it is debatable that most witches and wizards need a wand to Apparate, this may be irrelevant, as none of the prisoners maintain possession of their wands. Before 1995, most of the prisoners would barely have had enough strength to Apparate anyway, as the mere presence of Dementors, particularly in large numbers, inhibits the use of magical powers.

Before the Dementors' revolt, the only people ever to escape the prison were Barty Crouch Jr and Sirius Black, in 1982 and 1993, respectively. Barty Crouch Jr. was smuggled out by his father, Barty Crouch Sr., and replaced by his dying mother using Polyjuice Potion[2], while Sirius was able to escape by changing into his Animagus form of a dog.[3] The revolt has severely compromised the security, as multiple escapes were made with no more Dementors guarding the prison; the Ministry continued omitting certain facts to maintain their facade of having everything under control, including keeping one breakout a secret.

Dementors mass

Dementors the guards

There is a graveyard outside the wall of Azkaban where the Dementors buried prisoners who died. However, if the dead prisoner has a relative who is not a criminal, the relative in question has the right to pick up the corpse for a proper burial, as Barty Crouch Sr. had the right to pick up the body that was disguised as his son, though he chose not to due to fear of being exposed of committing a jailbreak.

Although the prison is in the middle of the ocean with iron walls protecting it, it was unnecessary to keep prisoners inside, as Remus Lupin stated, because the prisoners were already trapped in their own heads due to the intense depression caused by the Dementors. As Sirius indicated, most prisoners went insane after a short while, and some even stopped eating, preferring death to their lives within Azkaban. Dementors fed the prisoners, indicating the prisoners might have felt depression at mealtimes.

Visits to the island are heavily restricted, as only respectable Ministry officials were noted to be allowed to visit any possible relatives. An example is when Barty Crouch Sr. and his wife were allowed a deathbed visit to their imprisoned son due to the former's high status in the government; they took advantage of this privilege to smuggle Barty Jr. out of prison.[2] The Minister of Magic is also allowed to visit the prison, as to check out on certain prisoners for their conditions, as Cornelius Fudge did on Sirius Black.[3]

It is not known whether wizards made the Azkaban island magically, or whether it was an existing ordinary rock island which wizards took over. If the latter is the case, when the sea level was lower in the Ice Age it would have been a rock hill standing above tundra which is now the bed of the North Sea.

After the war

Kingsley Shacklebolt Profile

Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic, did way with dementors as guards

After the end of the Second Wizarding War and Kingsley Shacklebolt's appointment as Minister for Magic in 1998, dementors were no longer employed as guards of Azkaban. This is likely because they had proven to be untrustworthy, and because the depression and madness their presence caused in prisoners is considered inhumane.

Presumably, other security measures were employed to guard the prisoners, most likely far more humane. It is unknown how many surviving Voldemort supporters and Death Eaters were imprisoned in the aftermath. Them aside, any Ministry officials who knowingly and willingly went with Voldemort's ideologies during the time when the Ministry was under his control, mainly the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, were sentenced to Azkaban, the most prominent being Dolores Umbridge, for her crimes against humanity (more specifically, Muggle-borns).

Known Azkaban convicts

"We have confirmed that ten high security prisoners, in the early hours of yesterday evening, did escape. And of course, the Muggle Prime Minister has been alerted to the danger. We strongly suspect that the breakout was engineered by a man with personal experience in escaping from Azkaban; notorious mass murderer Sirius Black, cousin of the escapee Bellatrix Lestrange."
— Cornelius Fudge interview to the Daily Prophet, January 1996[src]


Prisoner Current status Crime(s)

Carlotta Pinkstone

CarlottaPinkstoneFWC2
Unknown

Unknown sentence,but possibly a large one.

Imprisoned for her repeated and deliberate violations of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.
Avery Unknown

Possible life sentence.

Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Sirius Black

Sirius-black-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban-movie-mobile-wallpaper-1080x1920-9281-3248831100
Escaped (only actual unassisted escape from Azkaban while the Dementors were guarding it); now deceased

Life imprisonment for alleged murder of 12 Muggles and a wizard,the sentence was revoked when proved he was innocent, although he died before it.

Framed: imprisoned without trial after being falsely accused of murdering Peter Pettigrew and a dozen other innocent by-standing Muggles, life sentence; now vindicated
Crabbe Unknown Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Bartemius Crouch Jr.

Barty Crouch, Jr
Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse

Smuggled out by his parents; later received the Dementor's Kiss

Torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom with the Cruciatus Curse and murdering Bartemius Crouch Sr., life sentence.
Crispin Cronk Deceased

Possible large sentence for illegally owning a dangerous animal.

Had pet Sphinxes in his backyard.
Mrs. Crouch Died during imprisonment, disguised as Barty Crouch Jr. Served time in place of her son, Barty Crouch Jr.

Antonin Dolohov

File:Dolohov1998.jpg
Life Sentence

Escaped in the January 1996 Mass Breakout; later defeated by Filius Flitwick in battle (either dead or re-imprisoned)

Murdering Gideon and Fabian Prewett, life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Percival Dumbledore

Percival Dumbledore
Life Sentence for assaulting a Muggle and breaking the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy.

Died during imprisonment

Attacking Muggles without a logical explanation (retaliation for what happened to his daughter Ariana Dumbledore), life sentence.

Mundungus Fletcher

Mundungus
Minor sentence for robbery.

No longer imprisoned, was released after serving his sentence.

Impersonating an Inferius during a robbery.
Marvolo Gaunt Sentence of 6 months for assault on officials of Ministry of Magic

Released after serving the term.

Assault on Ministry of Magic officials, served six months.

Morfin Gaunt

HP quiz Morfin
First Sentence:3 years for assaulting Ministry officials and assaulting a Muggle

Second Sentence:Life Sentence for multiple homicide of Muggles using an Unforgivable Curse (frame-up)

Died in prison while serving what was at least his second term

First term: Improper use of magic on a Muggle and assault on Ministry officials, served three years.
Second term: Framed by Tom Marvolo Riddle for murdering the Riddle family, life sentence.

Rubeus Hagrid

Rubeus hagrid

Rubeus Hagrid, current professor of Care of Magical Creatures.

 Temporary sentence for suspicion in being involved in re-opening of Chamber of Secrets; released after 2 months.

Released

Framed: Re-opening the Chamber of Secrets, imprisoned as a safety precaution (falsely accused by Tom Marvolo Riddle); released upon proven innocent.

Jugson

Unknown Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Igor Karkaroff

IgorKarkaroff
Life Sentence for allying with Death Eathers and possible crimes with Unforgivable Curses: released in exchange for confidential information

Released; now deceased.

Membership in the Death Eaters; released in exchange for the names of several other Death Eaters.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix-promo-bellatrix-lestrange-28967541-432-650

Bellatrix

 Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multliple homicides using Unforgivable Curses

Escaped during the January 1996 Mass Breakout; now deceased

Torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity through the Cruciatus Curse, torturing and killing muggles and wizards, life sentence.

Rabastan Lestrange

File:RabastanLestrange.png
Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multiple homicides using Unforgivable Curses

Escaped during the January 1996 Mass Breakout; may have been re-imprisoned after the Battle of Hogwarts

Torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity through the Cruciatus Curse, life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Rodolphus Lestrange

RodolphusLestrange
Life Sentence for torture using an Unforgivable Curse and multiple homicides using Unforgivable Curses

Escaped during the January 1996 Mass Breakout; may have been re-imprisoned after the Battle of Hogwarts

Torturing Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity through the Cruciatus Curse, life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Lucius Malfoy

Lucius Malfoy Profile
First Sentence:pardoned after convincing the officials that he was under the influence of the Imperius Curse

Second Sentence:Life sentence for being allied with Death Eathers.

Escaped from Azkaban in 1997; later pardoned

Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Walden Macnair

Walden Macnair
Life Sentence

Escaped from Azkaban in 1997; defeated by Rubeus Hagrid during the Battle of Hogwarts, re-imprisoned.

Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Mulciber

Life Sentence

Escaped during the 1996 Mass Breakout; current status unknown

Captured prior to Karkaroff's trial (possibly for use of the Imperius Curse); re-imprisoned for participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Nott

Nott1
Life Sentence

Unknown

Participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.

Sturgis Podmore

Sentence for 6 months for breaking and entering to Ministry of Magic

Released

Attempting to break into the Department of Mysteries within the Ministry (actually controlled by Lucius Malfoy's Imperius Curse at the time), served six months.

Stan Shunpike

StanShunpike
Life Sentence for suspicion of being allied with Death Eaters,brought on false charges to keep the media satisfied.

Escaped during the mass breakout in 1997 and controlled by the Imperius Curse

Arrested on suspicion of Death Eater activity; kept in custody to make it look like the Ministry was making progress.

Augustus Rookwood

Life Sentence for working as an double agent and being allied with Death Eaters.

Escaped during the January 1996 Mass Breakout; defeated by Aberforth Dumbledore during the Battle of Hogwarts.

Spying on the Ministry through his job as an Unspeakable, life sentence; re-imprisoned for participating in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries as a Death Eater.
Travers Life Sentence for mass murder using an Unforgivable Curse

Unknown

Murdering the McKinnon family, life sentence; escaped during the January 1996 Mass Breakout.
Muggle-borns Life Sentence for "theft" of magic,all on false charges,all released after the fall of Voldemort.

Released, or killed in imprisonment.

Muggle-borns were arrested when Voldemort controlled the Ministry, assuming all survived.

Dolores Umbridge

Dolores Umbridge Deathly Hallows promotional image
Life Sentence for misusing the position in the Ministry of Magic and mass genocide

Imprisoned

Imprisoned for her crimes against Muggle-borns as head of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. life sentence.
Tarquin McTavish (presumably) Unknown Imprisoned for trapping his Muggle neighbour into a teakettle.

Etymology

Azkaban-island-uk-cover

Azkaban in 1993.

The name Azkaban is inspired by the Russian town Abakan, which has historically been occupied by various groups of exiles and also draws inspiration from the Prison of Alcatraz off the coast of San Francisco.

Behind the scenes

  • At least as far as the books are concerned, Azkaban is perhaps the most prolific and detailed location to never appear. It was referenced numerous times throughout the books, but aside from the cover of one copy of the third book, it never appeared in an image in the books. This is because, unlike the movies, the books were told exclusively through the eyes of Harry Potter himself, who never visited or have been in Azkaban.
  • There is an added scene in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in which the 1996 mass breakout at Azkaban is shown. This scene also marks the first and last ever appearance of Azkaban itself.
  • In the film, Azkaban is also on an island, but the island cannot be seen due to the stormy sea surrounding the tower.
  • In the front cover of the adult Bloomsbury edition of the third book, Azkaban is shown to be a rectangular tower, while in the fifth film it is more of a triangular tower.
  • It is likely that if Sirius's status as an Animagus was known, the Ministry would have taken certain precautions to prevent him from transforming to escape. This would mean that Azkaban's security measure is not fully enforced for every situation at all times, assuming that the protection with Dementors is pure enough.
  • Escaping from Azkaban is a serious offense, punishable by the worse-than-death Dementor's Kiss. Sirius Black was fated to this, if not for him being rescued beforehand, and Bartemius Crouch Jr. suffered from it when his escape became public. Such a punishment is probably because the escaped prisoners in question are too dangerous to be simply reconfined into the prison, as they could easily escape again.
  • Prisoners from Azkaban have their place card numbers tattooed on their neck and have pictures of them taken with their official number.
  • There are no human personnel (guards, officials etc.) in Azkaban other than prisoners. All prisoners, as seen in the films, wear white shirts with grey stripes.This is because Dementors are mentioned to be pure enough to contain the prisoners in the walls of the prison and it is most likely that no human personnel would manage to bear working in such a depressed place.
  • Access to Azkaban is strictly prohibited to all people except high-ranked Ministry officials, and only them are granted permission to enter the prison and visit prisoners, although this is very rare.
  • Azkaban prisoners are brought to prison by Aurors, making Aurors the only officials who regularly visit the prison but only to hand over prisoners. Dawlish was said to be escorting prisoners.

See also

Appearances

Wiki
The Harry Potter Wiki has 65 images related to Azkaban.

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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