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. The security levels of federal prisons range from minimum to high, with an additional administrative level. Depending on the risk and needs of the inmates, each level has different characteristics and limitations. This article will concentrate on the maximum security level: the highest security prisons.
The most dangerous and violent offenders in the federal system are housed in maximum security prisons, which are also called penitentiaries. 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 awaiting execution on death row.
Maximum security prisons have the most restrictive and secure environment, with high walls, razor wire, guard towers, and electronic surveillance. The inmates are confined to their cells for most of the day, with limited movement and activities. 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 Federal Correctional Complex is a United States federal prison complex for male inmates in unincorporated Sumter County, Florida, near Wildwood. It is run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which is 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. There are 1,600 acres (650 ha) of space in the complex. 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. 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. 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.