This is a top-down 2D construction and management simulation game where players are tasked with building and operating a correctional facility. The core experience revolves around designing and managing every aspect of a prison, from its initial layout and construction to the daily routines and well-being of its inmates. Released in 2015, this title is available across a wide range of platforms, including PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. It falls under the Simulator, Strategy, Adventure, and Indie genres, offering a deep and multifaceted gameplay experience.

The Role of the Warden

As the player, you assume the role of the warden, responsible for the entire prison ecosystem. This includes meticulously planning and constructing essential facilities such as cells, common rooms, kitchens, and yards. Connecting utilities like power and water is crucial for the prison's functionality. Beyond the physical infrastructure, managing staff is paramount. Players must hire and assign a diverse team, including guards, workers, and other specialists, each with their own roles and responsibilities. Recruiting new staff often unlocks further gameplay mechanics and management options.

Managing Inmates and Finances

A significant part of the gameplay involves keeping the inmate population content and managing their needs. This requires balancing security with rehabilitation, addressing issues like overcrowding, violence, and escape attempts. Simultaneously, players must oversee the prison's finances, ensuring it remains operational and profitable, or at least solvent. The interplay between inmate satisfaction, security levels, and financial stability forms the central challenge.

What Makes This Game Unique?

The game's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach to prison management. It goes beyond simple building mechanics to simulate the complex social dynamics and logistical challenges of running a correctional facility. Players have a high degree of freedom in designing their prison, leading to diverse and often emergent gameplay scenarios. The simulation extends to individual inmate behaviors, needs, and interactions, creating a dynamic environment that reacts to the player's decisions.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Construction and Design

Players can design and build their prison from the ground up, placing walls, doors, furniture, and utilities. The layout directly impacts efficiency, security, and inmate morale.

Staff Management

Hiring, assigning, and managing various staff members, from guards to cooks, is essential for smooth operation. Each staff type has specific functions and can be upgraded.

Inmate Needs and Behavior

Inmates have individual needs such as hunger, hygiene, and recreation, as well as psychological states that influence their behavior. Meeting these needs is key to preventing riots and maintaining order.

Financial Management

Players must manage the prison's budget, balancing income from various sources with the costs of construction, staff salaries, and inmate care.

Additional Content

This main game has seen the release of 12 downloadable content (DLC) packs, which introduce new features, gameplay mechanics, and thematic elements to expand the core experience. There are no expansions or remakes currently available for this title.