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About Prison Architect
Prison Architect puts you in charge of building and running a prison. You lay out cells, facilities and security, then allocate staff and supplies while watching for floods, fires, fights or riots.
The game includes Escape Mode, an online hub for testing player‑made prisons, and a limitless Sandbox where you can expand your empire without budget caps.
01 / THE GUIDE
Personalized Penitentiary Design
Every building block can be placed to match each inmate’s criminal history, allowing custom treatment programs, labor schedules and reform workshops.
The level editor and Steam Workshop let you create and share prisons, giving you access to community‑made layouts for inspiration.
- Start with a clear corridor layout to avoid bottlenecks.
- Browse the Workshop for proven designs before building from scratch.
02 / THE GUIDE
Resource Allocation and Safety
You must allocate money, staff and supplies to keep the compound running while preventing disasters such as floods, fires, fights or riots.
Federal grant applications provide extra money that can be directed toward disease control, gang suppression or litigation costs.
- Monitor resource levels daily to spot shortages early.
- Apply for grants before a crisis to ensure a financial buffer.
03 / THE GUIDE
Management and Muscle
A mix of armed guards, psychologists, doctors, lawyers and informants keeps the prison mostly ethical and safe.
Balancing security personnel with rehabilitation staff reduces unrest and improves overall prison performance.
- Hire at least one psychologist per 50 inmates.
- Train guards in emergency response to cut down on riots.
04 / THE GUIDE
Escape Mode Challenges
Escape Mode flips the perspective, letting you attempt a high‑stakes breakout from your own supermax facility.
Failure triggers alarms and a rapid response, testing how well your security layout can contain an escape.
- Map potential exit routes before launching.
- Place extra guards near high‑risk areas to limit success.
05 / THE GUIDE
Sandbox and Online Play
Sandbox mode removes financial limits, allowing limitless expansion of your prison empire and unrestricted experimentation with layouts and policies.
Online mode lets you test one of 12,000 player‑created prisons, offering fresh challenges without altering your own save.
- Use Sandbox to prototype a new wing before adding it to a live prison.
- Explore online prisons to see how others solved common problems.
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