8.12. Prison Levels 
DAVID CARTER 
Each of these jurisdictions of prisons also has varying degrees of intensity or seriousness. These are often 
considered prison levels or classifications. Depending on the State, the BOP, or even in the private sector, 
it is usually associated with the seriousness of the offenders that are housed within these institutions. For 
example, many States have three classification levels: minimum, medium, and maximum. Some States have 
a fourth level called super-maximum. Others call this close, or administrative level. The BOP has five levels, 
minimum, low, medium, high, and unclassified. Although not a true designation, and would be considered 
an unclassified, administrative control, ADX Florence is a United States Penitentiary (USP) that would be 
counted as a super-max. It houses the most dangerous individuals at the Federal level. Although not in 
operation today, Alcatraz was probably the most famous Federal USP (also considered a super-max at one 
point). It too housed the most dangerous federal inmates. Below are two images of this iconic prison, known 
as the “rock.” 
Alcatraz 
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