Introduction

Welcome to Prison Architect 2! This guide will walk you through the essential steps of building your own sandbox prison, from selecting a map to managing security and inmate needs. Whether you’re a first-time player or looking to refine your strategy, this guide will help you create an efficient and well-structured facility.

Step 1: Choosing Your Prison Location

Before laying a single brick, you need to decide where to build your prison. The available maps offer different expansions and configurations, influencing your prison’s layout. Some maps even provide the opportunity to build on both sides of the main road. Once you select a location, you can customize your starting conditions, including Warden type, starting resources, and mutators that modify the game experience.

Tip: Mutators can be disabled later if you want to revert to standard gameplay, but enabling them at the start will disable achievements.

Step 2: Initial Construction and Layout

Essential Structures

Your prison starts with basic zones like intake, deliveries, and garbage disposal. The first step is to set up additional critical areas:

• Export Zone: This allows workers to sell unwanted materials and resources.
• Security Gap: Adding fencing between the prison and the outside world creates an extra security buffer.
• Utility Room: Houses the power station and water pumping station, which are essential for maintaining your prison.
• Cell Block: Cells must be at least 4×3 in size and contain a bed and toilet.
• Canteen and Kitchen: A serving table can support up to 30 inmates, and a kitchen requires fridges, cookers, and sinks.

Tip: Plan your rooms for future expansion—either by building larger rooms initially or leaving space for future construction.

Step 3: Staffing and Bureaucracy

Key Staff Members

As your prison grows, staff members play a critical role in its operation. Your Warden and administrative team will help unlock important functions.

• Offices: Required for administration staff like the Foreman, Accountant, and Security Chief.
• Infrastructure Unlocks: Start by researching Speed Build to accelerate construction times.
• Passive XP Gain: The Accountant generates passive XP over time, making it a great early investment.

Tip: Big Business research increases contract rewards, which can help generate more funds early on.

Step 4: Security and Inmate Management

Holding Cells and Showers

• Holding Cells house inmates temporarily if individual cells are unavailable. They only require benches, but adding bunk beds and showers can improve comfort.
• Showers: Initially, a shared shower area will suffice, but later, adding individual showers in cells can improve hygiene and reduce conflicts.

Regime and Permissions

• Set Permissions: Define staff-only zones to prevent inmate escapes.
• Schedule Management: Allocate time for meals, showers, and recreation, ensuring inmates’ needs are met while maintaining order.

Step 5: Expanding and Optimizing Your Prison

Building Expansions Carefully

• Ensure security during expansion—new buildings without doors provide an escape route.
• Prevent worker lock-ins—always place doors before sealing off new structures.

Managing Punishments

• Hire a Psychologist to monitor inmate needs.
• Use the Security Chief to assign guard patrols and manage disciplinary actions.
• Solitary Confinement: For severe offenses, small 2×2 solitary cells can help maintain order.

Tip: Adding toilets and showers in solitary cells prevents hygiene-related issues.

Final Thoughts

With your prison set up, it’s time to bring in inmates. Adjust your security levels, build yards for recreation, and maintain a strict yet fair discipline system. This guide covers the essentials, but there’s much more to explore as your prison grows. Experiment with different layouts, staff assignments, and security measures to create the ultimate correctional facility!