How do you rate a prison? Not sure but I am sure that the rating depends on which side of the bars your on.
This facility has three components. A women's prison, mens prison, and a minimal security women's camp.
To see the women's prison, visitors enter through the front door, check in, and go through the metal detector. A visitation room is just on the right and you can visit a good part of the day. For the visitors though, this is as far as you go.
For the prisoners, they pass the control room and enter what looks like a junior college campus. Many buildings spread out with open space.
Just to the right is the chapel that serves all denominations. Just beyond that is a gym where the women take a variety of classes such as spinning or Zumba. It also has pottery workshop, a library, and a knitting/sewing room. There is also weight lifting available.
An outdoor rec area includes tennis courts and a track.
Beyond that are the main dorms. These are small rooms with 3 bunks. No bars on these rooms just a solid wooden door. No doors on the sink and toilet. Each of the dorms has television, an open area, and email access. There are also communal washing machines.
There are opportunities for work. Kitchen, grounds, maintenance or a Unicor telephone facility. In this case, the women answer phones to handle magazine subscriptions. Pay is minimal and they can spend it at the commissary.
For those with disciplinary problems, you get put into the SHU. This is a separate building where you are in isolation. You can get into a 10x30' fenced pen an hour a day five days a week. Otherwise you stay in your cell. Food is brought to you. The cells do have showers which you can use 3 x a week.
There was a building for education classes. The women are required to work towards a GED. Some make it some don't.
The grounds are open and plenty of space to walk around. The geese were all over the place and there were at least two resident cats.
Don't try getting out though. A tall fence with electronic monitors and 11 strands of razor sharp barbed wire prevent that.
I must admit that the facilities were better than expected. But not a place anyone wants to spend time at. read more