supermaxes
Most restrictive lockups
Supermaxes is the plural of supermax, referring to maximum-security prisons designed for the most dangerous inmates.
These facilities feature extreme isolation, with prisoners typically confined to single cells for 22-23 hours daily and having minimal human contact.
The federal system operates several supermaxes for terrorists and gang leaders.
Divided governmental authority
- stateCondition or mode
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- ACLUAdvocacy group for constitutional protections
- class-actionLawsuit representing many plaintiffs
inhumane · rehabilitation · recidivism · accountability · civil-liberties · whistleblower
Made more resistant
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
- watchtowersTall posts for surveillance
- checkpointsInspection stations along routes
biometrics · CCTV · sensors · alarms · lockdown · patrols · guards · fences
Complete separation from others
- windowlessHaving no windows
- shackledBound with metal restraints
- strip-searchesExamines someone unclothed
Those using violence politically
- high-profileAttracting significant attention
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- lifersThose serving until death
- notoriousFamous for negativity
spies · Unabomber · kingpins · assassins · cop-killers · extremists
federal
Divided governmental authority
- stateCondition or mode
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
torture
Deliberate infliction of suffering
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- ACLUAdvocacy group for constitutional protections
class-action · inhumane · rehabilitation · recidivism · accountability · civil-liberties · whistleblower
fortified
Made more resistant
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
- watchtowersTall posts for surveillance
checkpoints · biometrics · CCTV · sensors · alarms · lockdown · patrols · guards · fences
isolation
Complete separation from others
- windowlessHaving no windows
- shackledBound with metal restraints
- strip-searchesExamines someone unclothed
terrorists
Those using violence politically
- high-profileAttracting significant attention
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- lifersThose serving until death
notorious · spies · Unabomber · kingpins · assassins · cop-killers · extremists
supermaxesopen prisons
Low-security correctional facilities
honor systems · halfway houses · work camps · general population
supermaxesopen prisons
Low-security correctional facilities
prison camps · halfway houses · home confinement · electronic monitoring · probation
- Supermax prisonHighest-security correctional facility