Supermax

Supermax is the name given to the prisons or unit of a prison of very high security to the the United States and in other countries.

The first shape of such a prison appeared in Australia in 1975, when the district " Katingal" was built inside the correctional center Long Bay Correctional Center with Sydney. Called the " zoo électronique" by the prisoners, " Katingal" was a prison of very high security intended to isolate the prisoners sensoriellement, with 40 cells with the doors controlled electronically, its surveillance cameras and the absence of window. Finally the center was closed two years later for problems involved in the human rights and was demolished at the beginning of 2006.

The " term; Supermax" is actually a contraction of English " super-maximum" and rises from the concept applied to the Fédéral penitentiary of Marion, Illinois going back to 1983. During this year, two geoliers were killed by the prisoners the same day during two different incidents. Since, certain prisons converted towards a Supermax system translating the total insulation of the prisoner with the prison rest of the world.

In the Supermax prisons, the prisoners are authorized to leave their cell during one hour per day and often left in solitary containment. In some of them (in particular in Florence in Colorado) the prisoners carry out their exits the hands handcuffed in the back and irons with the feet. They receive their meals through the " passes-plats" present on the doors of their cell. They are often private of activity or work, except in certain prisons, like that of Florence in Colorado, where the prisoners are authorized to have a television. The doors of the cells are often controlled electronically and in the majority of the opaque cases, in order to prevent that the prisoner can see outside. The living conditions are extremely Spartans, the pieces of furniture out of concrete, being generally integrated into the walls of the cell. Walls which as pipings are phonically insulated in order to avoid possible communications between prisoners.

One generally speaks about a number of 60 prisons of this type in the United States. The majority of them have at the same time the Supermax complex as well as the units " habituelles".

Supermax prisons in the United States

  • Ionia Correctional Facility - Ionia, Michigan
  • Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center - Baltimore, Maryland
  • Ohio State Penitentiary - Youngstown, Ohio
  • Pelican Bay State Prison - Crescent City, California
  • Red Onion State Prison - Pound, Virginiae
  • Sing Sing Correctional Facility - Ossining, New York
  • Souza-Baranowski Correctional Facility -- Shirley, Massachusetts
  • U.S. Penitentiary Florence ADMAX (Administrative Maximum) Facility - Florence, Colorado
  • U.S. Penitentiary, Marion, Illinois
  • Varner Supermax - Grady, Arkansas
  • Wallens Ridge State Prison - Big Stone Gap, Virginia
  • Wisconsin Secure Program Facility - Boscobel, Wisconsin
  • Minnesota Correctional Facility - Oak Park Heights - Stillwater, Minnesota
  • Oklahoma State Penitentiary - McAlester , Oklahoma
  • USP Al
  • USP Atlanta
  • USP Atwater
  • USP Beaumont
  • USP Coleman
  • USP Lewisburg
  • USP Leavenworth
  • USP High Ground

Supermax prisons in other countries

  • Al Hayer Prison - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Goulburn Correctional Centers, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
  • Centro of Readaptação Provisória of President Bernardes, President Bernardes, São Paulo, Brésil (inspired by the American standards Supermax, but the prisoners do not remain there more than 180 days).
  • Penitenciaría de Combita, Colombia.

Prisoners having remained in Supermax prisons

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