Supermax
Supermax is an abbreviation for super maximum security prison, the highest level of security in the correctional system above standard maximum security. Supermax facilities house the most dangerous or disruptive inmates in extreme isolation. ADX Florence in Colorado is the only federal supermax. Communication is severely restricted at supermax facilities with very limited phone and mail access.
What Is Supermax?
Supermax facilities use solitary confinement as the standard housing condition rather than as a punishment. Inmates at supermax prisons spend 22 to 24 hours per day in their cells with minimal human contact. Communication with family is severely restricted and may be limited to a small number of monitored calls per month and limited mail.
ADX Florence in Fremont County Colorado is the federal supermax, officially called the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility. Federal inmates at ADX Florence are limited to 300 phone minutes per month. Families of ADX Florence inmates face significant communication barriers compared to other federal facilities.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
Maximum Security
Maximum security is the highest standard classification level for correctional facilities, housing inmates who pose the greatest risk or have committed the most serious offenses.
Facility TypesSHU
SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, which is a segregated area of a correctional facility where inmates are held separately from the general population for disciplinary reasons or for their own protection.
Facility TypesProtective Custody
Protective custody is a form of administrative segregation where an inmate is separated from the general population for their own safety. Unlike disciplinary segregation in the SHU, protective custody is not a punishment. Inmates in protective custody may have similar communication restrictions as those in the SHU, with limited phone access and fewer visits. Common reasons for protective custody include threats from other inmates, gang-related safety concerns, and cooperation with law enforcement.
CommunicationPhone Privilege
Phone privilege refers to an inmate's access to the facility phone system, which can be granted, restricted, or revoked based on behavior and facility rules. Phone access is a privilege rather than a right in correctional facilities. Violations such as attempting three-way calling, using abusive language, or receiving disciplinary sanctions can result in temporary or permanent loss of phone privileges.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is Maximum Security?
Maximum security is the highest standard classification level for correctional facilities, housing inmates who pose the greatest risk or have committed the most serious offenses.
Read full definitionWhat is SHU?
SHU stands for Special Housing Unit, which is a segregated area of a correctional facility where inmates are held separately from the general population for disciplinary reasons or for their own protection.
Read full definitionWhat is Protective Custody?
Protective custody is a form of administrative segregation where an inmate is separated from the general population for their own safety. Unlike disciplinary segregation in the SHU, protective custody is not a punishment. Inmates in protective custody may have similar communication restrictions as those in the SHU, with limited phone access and fewer visits. Common reasons for protective custody include threats from other inmates, gang-related safety concerns, and cooperation with law enforcement.
Read full definitionWhat is Phone Privilege?
Phone privilege refers to an inmate's access to the facility phone system, which can be granted, restricted, or revoked based on behavior and facility rules. Phone access is a privilege rather than a right in correctional facilities. Violations such as attempting three-way calling, using abusive language, or receiving disciplinary sanctions can result in temporary or permanent loss of phone privileges.
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