The Ultimate Guide to the Best and Worst Prisons in the U.S.

Published September 29, 2023

Out of many of our dream travel destinations, be it for leisure or settlement, a prison never occurs for us to visit and live in. It is a place where nobody wants to step in by mistake. 

Prisons are there to correct criminals and make them pay for their sins. The world is not a perfect place. They exist to keep us innocents safe. They maintain peace. They ensure that everyone demands justice are served. 

In line with this, awareness of prison establishment is excellent. It is educational. In this article, we’ll dive into the best and worst prisons in the United States. It won’t hurt anyone if you’re curious. Also, may it be your sign never to commit anything violating the law. You don’t want to risk your freedom. Let’s start. 

Top 5 Best Prisons in the US

1. FPC Alderson 

Federal Prison Camp Alderson is a minimum security facility in Alderson, West Virginia. It became the earliest Federal Bureau of Prisons establishment to hold female detainees. It does so exclusively. It has remained that way since it operated in 1928. 

The majority of detainees here are those who committed nonviolent or white-collar crimes. The correctional facility also does not hold any armed perimeter guards. It is like a boarding school with a more robust educational system. 

FPC Alderson is considered one of the top minimum-security federal prisons in America. It has low violence. Many inmates have freedom of movement. Also, it hosts many inmate activities targeted to better their lives.

2. FPC Montgomery 

The next best prison in the United States is FPC Montgomery. It is exclusive to male inmates. Besides being one of the best prisons, it is also one of the oldest prison camps to operate. It is situated on the Maxwell Air Force Base. 

The inmates in this prison are situated in dormitories divided into two-person cubicles. The location offers regular treatment for issues related to anger and stress. They also tackle criminal thinking. 

Furthermore, it provides GED, literacy, and vocational training for commercial driving. 

3. FPC Yankton 

FPC Yankton might be the top choice for the best federal prison for men in the Midwest. 

The prison camp houses prisoners with no history of violent behavior. Also those with no major psychiatric issues, and sexual offenses. By all accounts, it is a very safe. It is a comfortable facility. 

It is established on the shuttered campus of Yankton College. Inmates have a lot of educational and vocational opportunities. They can even earn associate degrees. It is in horticulture, accounting, and business. 

4. FCI Morgantown 

The federal prison camp is situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is  also one of the best prisons in the United States. Inmates here lived in dormitories for two-person cubicles. 

This prison offers inmates many education and recreation programs. The Education department gives away GED, ESL, and ACE classes. It also provides a Job Search class. It does so to support inmates in preparing for reentry into the workforce.

5. FCI Butner Low 

Finally, the Federal Correctional Institution Butner Law. It is the top low-security federal jail. It is situated in Butner, North Carolina. 

Inmates at this facility live in two and three-person dorms. It offers many health services for their well-being. It also has a psychology department that gives individual counseling. It also hosts group therapy. 

Prisoners here report little, if any, harm and violence. It gives a college campus atmosphere that makes them feel at ease.

Top 5 Worst Prisons in America

1. United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (Florence, CO) 

Known as ADX, this prison is among the most dangerous dungeons globally. It is dubbed as one of the most estranging ones. The cells here are made out of concrete with solid steel doors. They have built-in showers and automatic chutes. Both open over private concrete. 

The structure is established so inhabitants never see a guard or another prisoner. Also, less a visitor. ADX inmates are often transferred here after killing inmates or officers. 

Inmates have filed infinite class action lawsuits as well. They refer to them as unnatural and extreme indemnity. One former warden called it close to hell.

2. Men’s Central Jail and Twin Towers Correctional Facility 

The Men’s Central Jail is often dubbed a place filled with violent and outrageous offenders. It is one of the biggest and more threatening than most correctional facilities in America. It sees all types of criminals through its bars. Some of them never go away. The accelerating population has raised the assault rates and rapes in this lock-up. 

3. Holman Correctional Facility 

The Holman Correctional facility is famous for its constant stabbings and brutal muggings. It is called “The House of Pain” and “The Slaughterhouse”. One of the main dilemmas is the returned stabbings and slaughter. It is for both of inmates and correctional staff. 

In March 2016, a bloodbath spilled over. Inmates are rebelled and stabbed a guard. When the warder, then Carter Davenport, responded, they stabbed him too. They set fire to the dorm. After, they guarded hallways while taking giant swords.

4. San Quentin State Prison 

San Quentin is one of the vilest jails in the United States. Even if you commit a grave atrocity, you will pray not to be sent here. Most inmates in this lock-up have an absolute level of brutality. 

It has kept renowned convictions such as Richard Farley and Raymond Lee Oyler. This prison deals with everyday problems. Some of which are objectionable gang violence and poor staffing. Also, constrained racial discrimination.

5. Penitentiary of New Mexico 

The Penitentiary of New Mexico has a record of riots. One of the most challenging closings was the death of 33 inmates and 12 officers held captive in 1980. 

It is the most rampageous lock-up riot in the books til now. At one point, men during the night were slaughtered. They were dissected, and quickly burned after. Also, most of them were convicted child molesters.