There’s nothing fun about serving a prison sentence, especially in Indiana. From federal prisons to local and state correctional facilities, Indiana prisons have some of the harshest prisoners and conditions in the country. Here’ s a look at some of the deadliest Indiana prisons:
1. The United States Penitentiary - Terre Haute
This federal prison houses death row inmates as well as other male federal crime offenders. This is a high security prison (with a few minimum security prison camps). Federal death row cases are carried out here, making it one pretty brutal place. Despite the clientele, USP actually offers a fair number of rehabilitation programs for those not serving life sentences. Drug kingpin Juan Raul Garza was executed here in 2001 for murder, drug trafficking, and importing thousands of pounds of Mexican marijuana to the U.S.
2. Indiana State Prison - Michigan City
This maximum security prison is also for adult males and has some minimum security housing. John Dillinger was housed here before he was granted parole in 1933. Ten other inmates also escaped following Dillinger's parole, thanks to the aid of guns he had smuggled into the facility. All state death row sentences are carried out here.
3. Federal Correctional Institution - Terre Haute
Technically housed with the USP in Terre Haute, this prison is a medium-security facily for male inmates. The CMU (communication management unit) is a contraversial unit that limits inmate communication for any inmates deemed to pose a threat to the U.S. Majority of these inmates are Muslims who are convicted of terrorism (post 9/11).
4. Indiana Women's Prison - Indianapolis
Opened in 1873, IWP was the very first adult female correctional facility in the U.S. It's the only prison in the state that holds death row female prisoners. Sarah Jo Pender is one famous prisoner currently housed in IWP. After escaping from Rockville Correctional Facility, Sarah was caught and placed in solitary confinement in IWP for nearly 6 years.
5. Rockville Correctional Facility - Rockville
This prison was the former site of the Rockville Air Force Station and is now home to adult women prisoners. It is a medium security prison, though the prisoners' security levels range. Amber Portwood from the shows "Teen Mom" and "16 and Pregnant" is currently housed here for failing to complete court mandated drug testing during her probation.
6. Miami Correctional Facility - Bunker Hill
This prison is one of the largest in Indiana for male prisoners. This facility has a notorious reputation for violence. In 2002, inmate Angel Oquendo died by suffocation while being subdued during a fight with prison officers. Prisoners arrested for meth use and distribution are often housed here.
7. Correctional Industrial Facility - Pendleton
The unique facility houses medium-security adult males prisoners who work several industrial jobs while serving their time. Several educational, religious, and work programs are offered to inmates here.
8. Plainfield Juvenile Correctional Facility - Plainfield
Formerly an all-boys juvenile facility, this prison is now called Heritage Trails Correctional Facility and helps prepare adult offenders to re-enter society. Before this change, Charles Manson once escaped from here in 1951, along with two other fellow inmates. They were later recaptured in Utah.
Did you know there were so many deadly Indiana prisons, some with famous inmates?
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