Built into a mountainside in Florence, Colorado, stands what may well be the country’s toughest prison. Aptly nicknamed the Alcatraz of the Rockies this prison is home to some of the world’s most notorious criminals. Terrorists, mafia members, murderers, and drug dealers call this prison home, including Zacarias Moussaoui, who was sentenced to time here for his role in the terrorist attacks of September 11.
What’s life like at the toughest prison in the U.S? Prisoners rarely get the chance to leave their dismal, 68 square foot cells and when they do they emerge with their wrists securely shackled behind their backs, they are escorted by several guards to the sparse recreation yard where they can use the limited exercise equipment to stay in shape.
Life is highly controlled at this 640 acre prison that houses more than 3,000 prisoners including such well known criminals as Terry Nichols and Richard Reid. The prison cells are sparse with stainless steel commodes and sinks with windows that are almost nonexistent. Cameras exist in almost every corner of the facility keeping carefully watch every small movement carried out by the prisoners and prison guards.
The prisoners at the country’s toughest prison pay dearly for their crimes. To never see the beautiful Rocky Mountains that lie along the perimeter of their home, never touch a plant or watch a child at play is surely one of the harshest forms of torture and deprivation. Not that the prisoners at this facility haven’t earned their harsh sentences. Their crimes would surely justify a life lived far from the orderly society they so recklessly disregarded.
The prison guards have a tough task of keep these prisoners in line. Not only must they maintain order among the prisoners, they have to be aware of any impending escape plans or intention on the part of the prisoners to hurt themselves, each other, or the staff at the facility. It’s not surprising that the job could take a toll on the prison personnel over time.
The chances of escape from this bleak institution are low due to the many devices designed to thwart such an effort including trained attack dogs, barbed wire fences, cameras, and steel reinforced doors.
Some prisoners, like the infamous Zacarias Moussaoui, spend their time at the Supermax prison in solitary confinement. This consists of being kept in isolation for 23 hours per day. An hour break is allowed so he can exercise in a special concrete room while still wearing hand and leg cuffs. The results of this type of deprivation and confinement can sometimes lead prisoners to experience signs of mental illness including delusions and hallucinations.
One must wonder what goes through the minds of prisoners confined to the country’s toughest prison? We may never know and perhaps it’s best that way.
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