USP Florence ADMAX

You can support your loved ones at USP Florence-ADX on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 719-784-9464.

When a loved one is in federal prison, they need more than just visits or calls due to their generally longer sentences. This webpage offers insights into USP Florence-ADX procedures, helping you provide the best support possible. From sending magazines to exploring distance learning options, this guide has all you need to assist your loved one effectively.

The United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (Florence ADX) is a federal prison in Colorado renowned for its exceptionally high level of custody, classifying it as a Supermax or 'control unit prison'. Located in Fremont County and nicknamed the Alcatraz of the Rockies, it prioritizes the safety of both inmates and staff. Established in 1994 by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to house prisoners deemed most prone to endangering others, it imposes stringent conditions aimed at fostering reasonably peaceful behavior.

Prisoners at Florence ADX spend 23 hours daily in single, soundproof cells constructed of poured concrete to deter self-harm. Intensive 24-hour supervision is maintained through high staff-inmate ratios, with limited access to phones and broadcast entertainment. Following a three-year sentence, inmates may qualify for transfer to a less restrictive facility. The overarching goal is to mitigate violence among the most dangerous career criminals.

As the highest security unit within the federal prison system, ADX houses male inmates categorized as posing extreme risks, including those whose escape could jeopardize national security. Notable inmates include convicted terrorists, gang leaders, and individuals with extensive records of violent crimes. The adjacent minimum-security camp accommodates additional prisoners, surpassing the supermax unit's population.

Unlike its male counterpart, the BOP lacks a designated supermax facility for women. Female inmates requiring enhanced security due to violence or escape attempts are confined within the administrative unit of Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.

Florence ADX hosts approximately 410 male inmates distributed across six security levels. Notorious inmates housed here include terrorists, such as those involved in the September 11 attacks, as well as domestic criminals like the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City bombing. Most inmates are transferred to ADX due to a history of violence against corrections officers or fellow inmates.

Administrative segregation confines inmates to single-person cells for 23 hours daily, with supervised hour-long breaks for showering, exercise, and, where permitted, phone calls. Dietary restrictions prevent the use of food as a means of self-harm or creating unhygienic conditions.

Situated on 37 acres in Florence, Colorado, ADX comprises above-ground structures except for a subterranean corridor connecting cellblocks to the lobby. Inmates' daily routines are highly regimented, with minimal contact with the outside world and strict surveillance. Cells feature basic furnishings primarily made of concrete, soundproofing, and limited amenities to deter escape attempts and unauthorized communication.

Measures such as obscured windows and limited exercise space prevent inmates from discerning their location within the facility. Telecommunication is prohibited, and food is hand-delivered, with communal dining available for select inmates. The prison employs extensive security measures, including motion detectors, remote-controlled steel doors, pressure pads, razor wire fences, and 24-hour monitoring by armed officers. The Z-Unit houses inmates of extreme security risk, each cell equipped with body restraints integrated into the concrete bed.

Admissions and Orientation (A&O) Handbook - This document provides general information about the institution, special rules, and regulations - USP Florence ADMAX Admissions & Orientation Handbook

Commissary List - prices of items sold at the commissary in USP Florence ADMAX