Overview
This is just a simple guide to help explain some of the challenges you may face while playing prison architect with the different kinds of inmates.
The 3 main kinds of prisoners.
There are 3 main kinds of prisoners: minimum security, medium security, and maximum security. Theres also protected custody prisoners( if you make them protective) and an even higher level of prisoner( sorry the name escapes me). Each one starting at minimum security makes it harder on the prisoners.
Minimum security prisoners have a VERY low chance of rioting and protesting, and will only do so if they are REALY REALY REALY p***** off. (Please note, I have NEVER seen minimum security inmates fight, cause destruction, or even riot. They do however still carry contraband, they just dont appear to know how to use it )
Medium security are a little more of a challenge and present no real threat above the minimum secutiry inmates. They may cause disturbances with guards and other inmates from time to time and maby even cause little destruction, but like minimum security, they realy dont do much with contraband aside from luxeries and drugs/alchohol. ( I have seen probaly 3 riots, not very big ones, occur in the 70 hours I have played in this game.)
Maximum security. What can I say, I made a map in my workshop( fill free to check it out) all about maximum security, and o my good golly goodness is it crazy. The ratio of guards to inmates is about 4:1, but that does NOTHING to detter them from commiting crime behind bars. Ive had around 10, probaly more, deaths, including a guard, and 1 escape, but only because an inmate grabbed the dead guards keys. They cause destruction at will, since most of them have some, lets just say, intersting traits. Some are siting in the common room, reading a good book, surrounded by guards and fellow inmates, and the next thing you know: theres a fire, 4 dead prisoners, and a damn riot starting in my common room! The maximum security inmates LOVE contraband, and if you dont shake them down and put dogs and metal detectors in key doorways and walkways, dont be suprised if theres a stabbing the morning showers, or a fire, or even a full scale riot! And believe me, these things can happen in a matter of seconds, and get worse before you have time to even get fire or riot crews on the way. ( note, on my map and many others I have played, keeping prisoners inline with large amounts of guards and tough punishment can be the difference between a succesful, somewhat happy prison… and a prison full of dead people.)