High-Security Prisons in the Sunshine State
The kind of prison you or a loved one will end up in may be a concern for you if you have a federal prison sentence. There are five security levels for federal prisons: from minimum to high, plus administrative. Each level has different features and restrictions, depending on the inmates’ risk and needs. This article will concentrate on the maximum security level: the highest security prisons.
Maximum security prisons, also known as penitentiaries, are designed to house the most dangerous and violent offenders in the federal system. Serious crimes, such as murder, terrorism, espionage, or sex offenses, have landed these inmates in long sentences or life imprisonment. Some of them may also be on death row, waiting for their execution.
With high walls, razor wire, guard towers, and electronic surveillance, maximum security prisons have the most secure and restrictive environment. For most of the day, the inmates are confined to their cells, with limited activities and movement. The security measures are strict, and the staff-to-inmate ratio is high.
In Florida, there are two maximum security prisons, both located in the Federal Correctional Complex, Coleman (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. As of 2010, the complex houses 7,120 prisoners altogether, and 1,300 employees, and is the largest correctional facility operated in the nation, making it one of the largest employers in the county. According to Rachel Monroe of The Atlantic, the prison has held several notable or unusual criminals. Most prisoners, except for those housed at United States Penitentiary Coleman 1, are serving sentences for drug-related crimes, and had not been found guilty of violent acts.
Prisoners housed at FCC Coleman Florida prison are all male. The prisoners on average have sentences of 10 years. Press reports indicate female prisoners, which previously were held at the adjacent satellite prison camp, had been raped by staff, and that 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.