Learn about what federal supermax prison is, supermax prisons pros and cons, the anatomy of a supermax prison and what a supermax prison cell looks like.
What is a Federal Supermax Prison? | Supermax Prison Pros & Cons
What is a supermax prison? How many supermax prisons are there? A supermax prison is a maximum security prison in which inmates typically spend up to 23 hours per day in solitary confinement with little to no access to natural light. There is only one federal supermax prison in America: The United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility, also called the ADX. The ADX is located in Florence, Colorado. It was built in 1994 and currently houses over 400 inmates. While ADX is the only federal supermax institution, many other prisons in the U.S. have supermax areas with similar security features and solitary confinement cells. Solitary confinement is also called segregation. Life inside a supermax prison is some of the most tightly regulated and psychologically destructive incarceration possible for prisoners.
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What Is a Supermax Prison?
Imagine spending 22-23 hours a day in a 7 by 12-foot cell made entirely of concrete. A small window offers minimal natural light, but you have no contact with the outside world, only going outside to a room slightly larger than your cell for a few hours a week. This is typical for an inmate in a supermax prison.
Supermax prison is a term for maximum security that describes the most secure prisons and prison units that house the most dangerous criminals. There is only one federal maximum-security prison in the U.S., the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) located in Florence, Colorado. There are numerous maximum security state prisons or prisons with maximum security units within them, also known as segregation, lockdown, or solitary confinement. Inmates placed in segregation typically have exhibited dangerous or violent behavior and/or have violated rules within the prison.
The ADX is referred to as the Alcatraz of the Rockies and is home to over 400 of the most dangerous and violent offenders in the federal prison system. The Unbomber Ted Kaczynski, shoe bomber Richard Reid, the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and several other terrorists are serving time at the ADX. Others are transferred to ADX from other prisons after they were involved in an assault of another inmate or prison staff, or attempt to escape a facility.
Conditions at ADX are essentially full-time solitary confinement with limited contact between inmates and staff. The windows and recreational areas have limited views to minimize escape attempts. When the prisoners do leave their cells, they are escorted by multiple guards and wear handcuffs, leg irons, and stomach chains at all times.
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Most state prisons in the U.S. have maximum security units within them, where inmates are kept in segregation or solitary confinement. In 2014, Amnesty International estimated there were over 40 states with these facilities and 25,000 prisoners housed in maximum security housing. When you include inmates that spend shorter stays in segregation due to punishment, there are approximately 80,000 inmates in maximum security housing on a daily basis.
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A supermax prison cell is 7 feet by 12 feet in size. The prison is built primarily of poured concrete to make it as impenetrable as possible. Within the prison there are 1,400 remote-controlled steel doors, and the entire facility is surrounded by 12 feet of razor wire fencing. Other security surrounding the prison includes laser beams, guard dogs, pressure pads, and a dozen gun towers in addition to hundreds of cameras and motion sensors. Prisons besides the ADX that have supermax units tend to follow similar architectural and security procedures.
The idea behind the architecture of the ADX is control through isolation, disorientation, and sensory deprivation. It is designed to make it difficult for inmates to know where they are at any given time and to limit their ability to see the sky or the outside world.
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Inmates in a supermax prison have a very different daily life to those outside of the carceral system and to those in regular prisons.
A Supermax Prison Cell
A regular supermax prison cell is 84 square feet in area. All furnishings in the cell are made of poured concrete and are therefore immovable. A bed, a desk, a toilet, and a shower. In cells that have a window, the window is 4 inches by 4 feet and offers a view only of the interior courtyard. Some inmates are permitted a small black and white television that plays closed-circuit religious services and other limited programming, but this is a rare privilege.
Meals
Unlike most institutions, ADX does not have a mess hall. Food is delivered to inmates individually through a slot in the cell door. Typically, inmates do not interact with guards or any other individuals during meals. Most inmates have a choice between several meal options: regular, without pork, without meat, low in sodium and fat, or a religious diet, though religious diets must be approved by the prison. Those in H-Unit are not generally given the option for religious diets.
Jobs
Most individuals in the prison system in the United States have the opportunity to work in a variety of jobs during their prison sentences. This in itself is a highly controversial practice, because unlike many other countries, United States law does not require inmates to be paid the minimum wage for their labor, resulting in many inmates working for a few cents an hour or without pay entirely.
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Supermax prisons are intended to house inmates who have been convicted of violent offenses and those who have been engaged in violent action during prison stays. Individuals convicted of domestic and international terrorism, murder, organized crime, and other offenses are among the inmates at ADX. There has been significant debate about which kinds of crimes warrant a stay at ADX.
El Chapo
Joaquin Guzman Loera (b. 1957), commonly known as El Chapo, is one of the most famous supermax prison inmates in history. He was convicted of drug trafficking and organized crime offenses as well as murder, and narcotics laundering. He has been at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility since 2019 after two previous escapes from other prisons.
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Supermax prisons are considered by many to have both advantages and disadvantages. Whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages is a matter of significant debate. Supermax prisons like ADX have been strongly criticized by human rights groups, prison abolition groups, and more. Supermax prison pros and cons need to be weighed carefully when determining whether and how these facilities should operate.
Pros of Supermax Prisons
Those who are in favor of the existence of supermax prisons have argued for the following positives:
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One of the major criticisms of supermax prisons like ADX is that they are terrible for inmates' mental health. The majority of those who spend time in ADX (around 70% by some estimates) suffer from serious mental illnesses that were either exacerbated by or brought on by solitary confinement. Additionally, inmates have stated that they received little or no effective treatment for mental illnesses during their time at ADX. Rather than creating any kind of meaningful justice for the victims of the inmates at ADX, the conditions in the prison seem to simply cause excessive suffering in an already claustrophobic environment.
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Supermax prisons are federal high-security carceral institutions. While many prisons have supermax wards, the only federal supermax prison is ADX, located in the Colorado mountains. Supermax prisons usually keep prisoners in solitary confinement, also called segregation. Potential upsides to supermax prisons include:
- Keeping communities safe
- Lower recidivism rates than other prisons
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Advantages
Let's discuss some of the advantages of supermax facilities.
A major goal of keeping prisoners in supermax facilities is to protect other inmates and staff since most inmates in maximum security have a history of violent and dangerous behavior. Many have been involved in fights in prison, and some have even killed other inmates or staff members. Keeping dangerous offenders confined and secure may also help the community feel safer.
Along with protecting prisoners and staff from dangerous inmates, maximum security units allow the prison to have more order and control over troublesome inmates and more closely monitor their behavior and actions. By placing them in secured housing and restricting their movements, the goal is to inhibit for future violent and disruptive behavior.
Another potential benefit to supermax prisons is a lower recidivism rate, or how likely inmates are to commit crimes and return to prison after their release. Many prison officials feel that the threat of being in solitary confinement or maximum security housing will deter inmates from committing crimes once they complete their sentence. It is also thought to improve behavior within the prison, causing most inmates to stay out of trouble to avoid being placed in segregation or solitary confinement.
Disadvantages
There are also several disadvantages to supermax facilities.
The most common complaint regarding solitary confinement is that it violates basic human rights, and can be classified as a form of torture or cruel and unusual punishment. Many people feel that no matter what horrific crime an inmate has committed, being locked in a cell 22-23 hours a day with no human contact is denying them their basic human rights. Human rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the United Nations Committee against torture have been extremely critical of the conditions of supermax prisons and the treatment of inmates. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against supermax facilities regarding the inhumane conditions.
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Another criticism of maximum security units is that solitary confinement can lead to or exacerbate mental illness of the inmates. Psychologists express concern that placing inmates in isolation for prolonged periods of time can actually cause mental conditions and psychotic episodes. A Denver-based psychiatrist evaluated numerous inmates at ADX and approximated that 70% of the prisoners had at least one serious mental condition. For those inmates who already have mental illness, living in solitary confinement often makes their mental state worse. Some ACLU lawsuits claim that inmates living with mental illness are not given the proper medication that they need.
Supermax prisons typically cost more to build and operate than other correctional facilities, due to the added measures of security inside and outside the facility. Supermax facilities require more prison staff because multiple guards must escort prisoners when they leave their cell. Staff working in maximum security prisons also require more training and equipment to handle the inmates, and most facilities are understaffed. Working with violent and dangerous inmates is a stressful and sometimes dangerous job, which may deter some prison staff from working in supermax facilities.
Lesson Summary
Supermax prisons, or maximum-security prisons, are extremely secure facilities designed for dangerous inmates. Most state prisons have supermax units within them, but there is one federal supermax prison called ADX, which is located in Colorado. Supermax prisons or units keep inmates in segregation or solitary confinement for 22-23 hours each day.
The pros of supermax facilities are the added safety, order, and control over dangerous and violent people. Some people also believe it can lead to better recidivism rates, or how likely inmates are to commit crimes and return to prison after their release, and good behavior within the prison. Cons of supermax facilities include the inhumane conditions and poor treatment of the inmates, the increased chance for mental illness, and the higher costs of operating a maximum security facility.
Video Transcript
What Is a Supermax Prison?
Imagine spending 22-23 hours a day in a 7 by 12-foot cell made entirely of concrete. A small window offers minimal natural light, but you have no contact with the outside world, only going outside to a room slightly larger than your cell for a few hours a week. This is typical for an inmate in a supermax prison.
Supermax prison is a term for maximum security that describes the most secure prisons and prison units that house the most dangerous criminals. There is only one federal maximum-security prison in the U.S., the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility (ADX) located in Florence, Colorado. There are numerous maximum security state prisons or prisons with maximum security units within them, also known as segregation, lockdown, or solitary confinement. Inmates placed in segregation typically have exhibited dangerous or violent behavior and/or have violated rules within the prison.
The ADX is referred to as the Alcatraz of the Rockies and is home to over 400 of the most dangerous and violent offenders in the federal prison system. The Unbomber Ted Kaczynski, shoe bomber Richard Reid, the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and several other terrorists are serving time at the ADX. Others are transferred to ADX from other prisons after they were involved in an assault of another inmate or prison staff, or attempt to escape a facility.
Conditions at ADX are essentially full-time solitary confinement with limited contact between inmates and staff. The windows and recreational areas have limited views to minimize escape attempts. When the prisoners do leave their cells, they are escorted by multiple guards and wear handcuffs, leg irons, and stomach chains at all times.
|
Most state prisons in the U.S. have maximum security units within them, where inmates are kept in segregation or solitary confinement. In 2014, Amnesty International estimated there were over 40 states with these facilities and 25,000 prisoners housed in maximum security housing. When you include inmates that spend shorter stays in segregation due to punishment, there are approximately 80,000 inmates in maximum security housing on a daily basis.
Advantages
Let's discuss some of the advantages of supermax facilities.
A major goal of keeping prisoners in supermax facilities is to protect other inmates and staff since most inmates in maximum security have a history of violent and dangerous behavior. Many have been involved in fights in prison, and some have even killed other inmates or staff members. Keeping dangerous offenders confined and secure may also help the community feel safer.
Along with protecting prisoners and staff from dangerous inmates, maximum security units allow the prison to have more order and control over troublesome inmates and more closely monitor their behavior and actions. By placing them in secured housing and restricting their movements, the goal is to inhibit for future violent and disruptive behavior.
Another potential benefit to supermax prisons is a lower recidivism rate, or how likely inmates are to commit crimes and return to prison after their release. Many prison officials feel that the threat of being in solitary confinement or maximum security housing will deter inmates from committing crimes once they complete their sentence. It is also thought to improve behavior within the prison, causing most inmates to stay out of trouble to avoid being placed in segregation or solitary confinement.
Disadvantages
There are also several disadvantages to supermax facilities.
The most common complaint regarding solitary confinement is that it violates basic human rights, and can be classified as a form of torture or cruel and unusual punishment. Many people feel that no matter what horrific crime an inmate has committed, being locked in a cell 22-23 hours a day with no human contact is denying them their basic human rights. Human rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the United Nations Committee against torture have been extremely critical of the conditions of supermax prisons and the treatment of inmates. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against supermax facilities regarding the inhumane conditions.
|
Another criticism of maximum security units is that solitary confinement can lead to or exacerbate mental illness of the inmates. Psychologists express concern that placing inmates in isolation for prolonged periods of time can actually cause mental conditions and psychotic episodes. A Denver-based psychiatrist evaluated numerous inmates at ADX and approximated that 70% of the prisoners had at least one serious mental condition. For those inmates who already have mental illness, living in solitary confinement often makes their mental state worse. Some ACLU lawsuits claim that inmates living with mental illness are not given the proper medication that they need.
Supermax prisons typically cost more to build and operate than other correctional facilities, due to the added measures of security inside and outside the facility. Supermax facilities require more prison staff because multiple guards must escort prisoners when they leave their cell. Staff working in maximum security prisons also require more training and equipment to handle the inmates, and most facilities are understaffed. Working with violent and dangerous inmates is a stressful and sometimes dangerous job, which may deter some prison staff from working in supermax facilities.
Lesson Summary
Supermax prisons, or maximum-security prisons, are extremely secure facilities designed for dangerous inmates. Most state prisons have supermax units within them, but there is one federal supermax prison called ADX, which is located in Colorado. Supermax prisons or units keep inmates in segregation or solitary confinement for 22-23 hours each day.
The pros of supermax facilities are the added safety, order, and control over dangerous and violent people. Some people also believe it can lead to better recidivism rates, or how likely inmates are to commit crimes and return to prison after their release, and good behavior within the prison. Cons of supermax facilities include the inhumane conditions and poor treatment of the inmates, the increased chance for mental illness, and the higher costs of operating a maximum security facility.
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& teaching resources‐all
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I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. It’s like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. I feel like it’s a lifeline.
Jennifer B.
Teacher
Back
What is a Federal Supermax Prison? | Supermax Prison Pros & Cons
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