Q: What's the main difference between maximum, medium, and minimal security facilities?
A: This is the rundown of different prison security levels. It is necessarily somewhat generalized.
Maximum-security [Lock-down]: This is where we keep death row and knuckle-head inmates. Sometimes they are housed solitarily, and sometimes they are doubled up. They usually are only allowed out of their cells for one or two hours a day. Their ability to have and purchase personal items is very restricted.
Medium-security [General housing]: This is where the majority of inmates are housed. They are usually double-bunked [Two inmates per cell] and are often out of their cells most of the day. They are typically allowed to work, go to school, have visits, use the yard, etc. People often mistake medium-security as minimum-security
Minimum-security [Pre-release]: Inmates usually have to be less than a year from being released to be moved to minimum-security. Minimum is often fairly similar to medium. The inmates work, go to school, etc. In addition, they get to have more freedom so they are allowed work outside jobs like road crews and exterior maintenance. Sometimes they are even allowed to go home for short visits.
