Inside the ghastly jail where Nelson Mandela was held

Before we even see the cell, we can notice it. It's the stifling stench of 86 men pressed into a room worked for 19.

A superintendent pushes a key into a rusted iron mesh. "Get back," he yells. The detainees lurch in reverse to permit the way to swing open.

The cell is a rectangular room with cots stacked three levels high. In one corner the prisoners share a latrine and icy shower, yet regularly all the better they can do is a can.

A few prisoners are wearing regulation yellow attire, some in different levels of disrobe. It's mid year and it's smothering in here. In winter it's severely icy. The prisoners say they are let outside to practice once per week, best case scenario. Skin infections are endemic; getting tuberculosis is to a great degree likely.

What's more, none of the men has been indicted.