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Design Program:  The Ionia Level Six Maximum Security Facility (Super Max) located in Ionia, Michigan is the only level six prison built in the State of  Michigan. The complete design of the facility was done by Byce & Associates, Inc.  All ten of the buildings on the premises are free   standing, and in a pod like formation. Five of the buildings are used as prisoner housing units, while the remaining buildings are used for education, food service, recreation, industrial and administrative offices. What distinguishes the Ionia Level Six Maximum Security Facility from the other Level Five Maximum Security Facilities is that with a level six facility the prisoners are in complete lockdown 23 hours a day, while in a level five facility the prisoners are allowed to be out of their cells 8 hours per day. Both the level five and level six facilities have increased security with a double layer fencing system which consists of rows of coiled Razor Ribbon fencing with an interior stun fence to deter prisoner escapes. They have also  incorporated interior and exterior  CCTV along with at least five guard towers on the perimeter of these facilities for added security.

Design Challenges:  The biggest design challenge with this project was adapting the designs from other state prison facilities to meet the state requirements of a level six maximum security facility.