Closed maximum security: the Illinois SuperMax.

Some people build. Some destroy. Illinois' new Closed Maximum Security Correctional Center under construction in Tamms, Ill., represents society's latest, no-holds-barred effort to ensure that certain predatory people are isolated from the rest of us, and from each other.

Driving the decision to create a "SuperMax" in Illinois was an increasingly clear understanding that some inmates continue to wage war on the correctional system and society from inside existing state facilities. They successfully manipulate others, both within the prison walls and on the outside, into doing their bidding by creating disruptions and a dangerous environment for one another and staff.

Armed with a clear Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) policy to isolate the most disruptive inmates and, hopefully, "normalize" the general prison population, the state of Illinois decided to build this special facility. The program is unique, found only in a few facilities throughout the country.

The Design

This facility design should provide the highest level of security and the most restrictive movement for 520 of Illinois' most violent and difficult inmates. There are two basic physical components: the closed maximum security unit (CMAX), and its minimum security unit (MSU) support facility. The CMAX's basic organizational element is the inmate housing pod. Each pod contains 60 cells - 10 in each of six cellblocks (five on the first level, five on the upper tier). The cellblocks are arranged around a control station strategically positioned between first-level and upper tiers, with visual access to both levels of the pod. Movement within each cellblock is controlled from this location. Correctional officers assigned to each pod control station carry weapons and have access to tear gas. The facility design supports the use of deadly force consistent with Illinois DOC policy.

To minimize inmate movement within the facility, each pod has special-purpose areas, including: a medical assessment room; two library cells; multipurpose space for use by psychologists, clergy and others; and outdoor exercise enclosures. Inmate access to these areas is on a one-at-a-time basis, and all services are delivered to the inmate in the cell whenever possible. Cell furniture includes a concrete sleeping platform with a pad, a wall-mounted writing surface and shelf, a stainless-steel "combi unit" (water closet, lavatory and drinking fountain) and a small, stainless-steel mirror.

Pods branch off on either side of two access spines or "arteries." Each two-level spine connects the pods to the centrally located inmate services building; the upper level supports staff circulation, while the lower level is used for the movement of inmates and support services. Armed staff can see through the upper-level flooring grid, and can closely monitor staff-escorted inmate movement below. Strategically placed security vestibules provide additional circulation control and allow portions of the facility to be sealed off at will. Each bank of pods has an exterior evacuation area surrounded by a chain link fence and capped with razor wire.

The inmate services building houses inmate processing and visitation areas, housing administration, a library, an infirmary, dental and medical exam offices, and the laundry. Inmates are moved to this building only when services cannot be delivered appropriately to their cells. Special facilities within this building include a courtroom, a transitional housing pod and the execution unit. The transitional housing pod, consisting of 20 two-bed cells, allows inmates to acclimate to a less restrictive environment while interacting with other inmates before being transferred to another maximum security facility within the system. The courtroom, intended for the adjudication of lawsuits and disciplinary hearings, doubles as a media area for executions and a mustering area in the event of an emergency.

When construction is completed, all Illinois executions will occur at this facility. The execution chamber is designed to accommodate multiple executions if necessary.

Surrounding the pods and inmate services building is a double security fence equipped with a detection system and a perimeter patrol road. Access is achieved through a vehicular sallyport or by an underground pedestrian tunnel connecting the inmate services building with the administrative services building, which is located outside the secure perimeter of the CMAX. The main facility entrance, administrative offices, dietary services and warehouse space all are contained within this building.

Human Safeguards

Based on an assured understanding that any security system has both physical and "human" components, the design team identified a number of behavioral issues to be addressed. Correctional facilities are one of the few project types that have the potential to place people's lives at risk.

Inmates must "earn their transfer" to the SuperMax by chronically disrupting the functioning and security of other correctional centers, through excessive violence or extreme gang activities. Therefore, it is assumed that this population not only will be more dangerous, but also more manipulative to other individuals. The operating philosophy of this facility differs from the corrections norm. Rather than being transported to services, inmates remain in their cells as long as 23 hours a day, with an hour allowed for personal hygiene and exercise. Food, library, and even minor medical services are delivered to inmates in their cells. Inmates are transported out of cell blocks only for visitation, court proceedings and major medical procedures. They always are cuffed, restrained and escorted by security staff.

Careful design ensures separate inmate and staff circulation paths within the facility. Holding cells along traffic routes eliminate inmate contact. Limiting inmate movement reduces the opportunity for dangerous activity and enhances the safety of the facility.

Because events tend to happen quickly in a crisis, security electronics feature hard-wired linear panels composed of industrial hardware. A well-designed panel leaves no doubt when a door control switch is positioned for "open" or "closed" and no concern about which inmate is out of his cell.

To further reinforce security operations, 40 cameras interface with 10 monitors for surveillance of inmate and staff movement through security doors. Seven cameras monitor the exterior and eight monitor inmate movement in the access spines. Forty-eight cameras are dedicated to the surveillance of inmate exercise areas. All cameras are capable of recording to a VCR.

Custom graphic maps in central control systematically maintain the status of doors, panic alarms and fire conditions. All security alarms and "events" are managed by a PC-based central processing unit, which records each event to the computer's hard drive and printer.

Life Inside

The new SuperMax is both robust in its construction and austere in creature comforts. When not in their cells, each of the 480 CMAX inmates may be allowed to shower three times a week, to visit a small exterior exercise area for "walks" or calisthenics, or to make brief trips to an in-pod library cell. Meals, delivered to inmates in their cells, will be eaten behind sliding doors of perforated steel plates. All of these activities will occur in solitude. The 40 transitional housing inmates may receive additional privileges.

Recognizing that the lack of human contact, the absence of meaningful work, and a poverty of sensory and intellectual stimulation may have potentially adverse consequences, staff psychologists and sociologists will complete a "baseline" assessment of each inmate as part of his initial processing, and there will be periodic reevaluations at specific intervals during an inmate's time within the institution.

Key Process Points

The following criteria were helpful in developing the design for the CMAX and may be applied to other correctional facility types as well:

Establish a vision. For this project the Illinois DOC had a clearly stated policy to remove the more problematic inmates from the general population and concentrate them in one institution. A design had to be created that would present a formidable challenge to inmates determined to harm themselves, others or to escape confinement.

Talk to others. It is critical to find out what has worked and what hasn't. Although this design team had considerable correctional facility design experience, creating a super maximum security facility was, and still is, a relatively new project type for everyone in the design profession. For this project,information was gathered and visits were arranged with other institutions nationwide that have a super maximum security classification within their correctional system. Most important, the design team listened to what users said. This body of knowledge was valuable grist for the design mill.

Assemble an experienced project team. Members should be experienced in designing correctional institutions and in the appropriate classification of high security or "super max." There is no substitute for an intimate understanding of prison operations and culture. This knowledge base helps the design team ask the right questions of the client and future staff, shaves many hours off the "learning curve," and helps staff avoid mistakes.

Maintain user involvement. Illinois had the foresight to select and assign a veteran maximum security warden to the facility early in the design process. He was intimately involved in the programming and design process. The warden was able to provide not only operational information, but also additional insights into both inmate and staff psychology.

Use technology appropriately. Sight lines always are preferable to cameras; high-tech rarely is a substitute for good design. The goal throughout the project was to integrate both innovative and traditional architectural and engineering strategies with a realistic blend of security electronics. It is not enough to understand technology and its possibilities. It is equally important to know how people interact with technology in a variety of circumstances.

Slated for completion in November 1997, the Illinois Closed Maximum Security Correctional Center ultimately may house 760 inmates.

Robert A. Shepperd, AIA, CCS, is director of criminal justice planning and design for LZT Associates, Inc., in Peoria, Ill. Jeffrey R. Geiger is an electrical engineer and security/electronics consultant for Arnold & O' Sheridan, Inc., in Brookfield, Wisc. George Welborn is warden of the Illinois Closed Maximum Security Correctional Center in Tamms, Ill.