You're about to step into
the world's toughest prison,
the ADX Supermax.
Navigating this place is no easy task.
It's a labyrinth of steel
and concrete,
with cellblocks
that seem to go on forever.
From the massive watchtowers
where guards
keep an eye on inmates
to the claustrophobic cells
where prisoners are stuck
for 23 hours a day,
we're taking you on a journey
into the depths of this mega-prison.
And, we'll get up close
and personal with this Supermax’s
most notorious inmate.
So buckle up,
hold on tight,
and get ready to enter
Denver.
Yeah, I mean, we gotta start somewhere...
The prison is located about two hours
south of Denver in Florence, Colorado.
That's why it's called ADX Florence.
For visitors going to this prison,
they have to arrange
their transportation.
So hop on in.
I'll drive,
you take the map.
Let's get
one thing straight,
this isn't your average prison.
This is the big leagues,
the mother of all
maximum-security facilities.
This place makes Alcatraz
look like a luxury resort.
ADX Florence is located in the foothills
of the Rocky Mountains.
Sometimes called the ‘Alcatraz
of the Rockies’,
the geography here
renders a prison break
nearly impossible.
But here's the kicker,
the prison is designed
to be disorienting for the inmates.
The layout is so complex
that it's practically impossible
for them to memorize it,
or even figure out where they are.
So I guess it's not surprising to know
there have been no escapes
from ADX Florence.
Now remember,
Supermax prisons are most known
for putting inmates in borderline
torturous solitary confinement
that can have profoundly negative
psychological effects
on inmates.
Get ready, you may see some stuff.
We're pulling up to admissions now.
There are some hard rules
we're going to have to follow.
The big one is the dress code:
revealing clothing
such as shorts,
crop tops, and miniskirts
are not allowed.
On top of that,
halter tops,
see-through clothing,
and backless tops are also off-limits.
And if you were thinking of sporty khaki
or green military-type clothing,
think again.
So, when planning your outfit
for a visit,
keep these restrictions in mind.
Visiting hours at ADX Florence
are limited to just four hours
per month,
and the warden can cut it down further
if the prison is overcrowded.
If you're lucky enough to get a visit,
don't expect to get touchy.
No hugging,
no kissing,
and no physical contact
beyond a quick handshake
at the beginning and end of your visit.
This is the most secure prison
in the country,
and they don't mess around.
OK, we’re in.
I’m starting to see what they mean
by Supermax.
This place is built
like a fortress
with 12 massive guard towers,
each secured by armored guards
and attack dogs.
The prison perimeter is secured
by 3.7 m (12 ft) high
razor-sharp barbed wire fences
and even laser technology.
If that wasn't enough,
there are pressure pads
in the hallways
to track every move made by the inmates.
And get this.
There are over
1,400 remote-controlled doors
that can be...
well...
‘locked down’ during a lockdown.
This next stop on our tour
is very popular
amongst the correctional
tourism community
—the cells.
This prison was designed to keep inmates
in solitary confinement,
with almost
no outside interaction
with other prisoners.
Each cell is equipped with a desk,
stool,
bed,
toilet,
and shower.
The windows of the cells
are specifically designed to limit
the inmates’ view of the sky
and roof of the facility,
making it impossible
to determine their location.
Now, let’s stop
for a quick bite
to eat at the mess hall.
Oh wait, there isn’t one.
Inmates are stuck in their
cells for 23 hours a day
for the first three years of their stay.
It’s not until they’ve proven
good behavior that they’re allowed
to join other prisoners
in a shared dining room for their meals.
Alright,
I think the warden
is getting antsy.
Let’s head through
the six levels of security
at this Supermax.
We’ve got the General Population Units
- Delta, Echo, Fox, and Golf.
These units are
where most inmates reside.
Then we have the Special Housing Unit,
or SHU,
for those needing more isolation.
Now, here's where things get scary.
The Special Security Unit,
or the “H” Unit,
is specifically designed
for members of terror groups.
You might catch a glimpse
of The Unabomber,
the Boston Marathon Bomber
or the notorious drug lord, “El Chapo.”
Next up.
The Control Unit.
A section reserved
for the most violent offenders
from other prisons.
On your left,
we have the
Intermediate/Transitional Units,
nicknamed Kilo
and Joker,
designed to help inmates
transition back into society.
And last but not least,
there’s Range 13,
a specialized four-cell wing
with the tightest security measures
for the most dangerous of criminals.
We might run into one of
the most notorious inmates
that has ever called this place home
- Eric Rudolph.
This high-school dropout
and U.S. Army trained monster
went on a bombing spree
aimed at attacking
“global socialism”
and the “homosexual agenda”.
During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games
in Atlanta,
he bombed Centennial Olympic Park,
killing one person
and injuring over 100 others.
He bombed three more places
the following year,
including abortion clinics
and a lesbian bar.
Rudolph was arrested while
dumpster diving
in North Carolina in 2003
after being on the FBI's
most-wanted list for 7 years.
He's now serving two life terms
in this very facility.
Alright, I'm getting claustrophobic.
Let's get out of here.
Let's go somewhere
more ‘open’ for our next tour.
Somewhere nice near the ocean.
Somewhere like Snake Island.
We’ll guide you across the island
so dangerous
the Brazilian government
has closed it off.
You'll love meeting the locals.
Start the tour here on How to Survive.