You may be curious about the type of prison you or a loved one will be sent to if you are facing a federal prison sentence. Federal prisons are classified into five security levels: minimum, low, medium, high, and administrative. Each level has different features and restrictions, depending on the inmates’ risk and needs. We will examine the highest security level in this article: maximum security prisons.
The most dangerous and violent offenders in the federal system are housed in maximum security prisons, which are also called penitentiaries. These inmates are serving long sentences or life imprisonment for serious crimes, such as murder, terrorism, espionage, or sex offenses. Some of them may also be awaiting execution on death row.
The environment of maximum security prisons is the most restrictive and secure, with electronic surveillance, guard towers, razor wire, and high walls. The inmates are confined to their cells for most of the day, with limited movement and activities. The staff-to-inmate ratio is high, and the security measures are strict.
Both of the maximum security prisons in Florida are located in the Federal Correctional Complex, Coleman Penitentiary (FCC Coleman). FCC Coleman prison, near Wildwood, is a United States federal prison complex for male inmates in unincorporated Sumter County, Florida. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a division of the United States Department of Justice.
Approximately 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Orlando, 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Tampa, and 35 miles (56 km) south of Ocala, the facility is located in central Florida. The complex is located at 846 NE 54th Ter, Coleman, FL 33521. The complex has 1,600 acres (650 ha) of space. The complex, the largest correctional facility operated in the nation, houses 7,120 prisoners altogether, and 1,300 employees, as of 2010, making it one of the county’s largest employers. Most prisoners, except for those housed at United States Penitentiary Coleman 1, have been sentenced for drug-related crimes, and had not been convicted of violent acts. The prison has held several unusual or notable criminals, according to Rachel Monroe of The Atlantic.
They are all male, the prisoners at FCC Coleman Federal Prison Florida. On average, they have sentences of 10 years. According to press reports, staff had raped female prisoners, which previously were held at the adjacent satellite prison camp, and widespread sexual abuse has been tolerated. Prosecutors have been unable to prosecute cases against the employees due to lack of evidence.
The complex consists of four facilities: Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman Low (FCI Coleman Low): a low-security facility. Federal Correctional Institution, Coleman Medium (FCI Coleman Medium): a medium-security facility with an adjacent satellite prison camp for minimum-security inmates. United States Penitentiary I, Coleman (USP Coleman 1): a high-security facility. United States Penitentiary II, Coleman (USP Coleman 2): a high-security facility.
