Designing a prison fence is not always as easy as it sounds. This is one of the most critical components of security in any type of prison or correctional facility. The fence is the first line of defense against intrusion, but it also works to prevent escapes and other common issues that occur in the prison systems. Modern prison fencing solutions are engineered to be robust, tamper-resistant, and integrated with the surveillance technologies and systems used within the facility.
Learn more about types of fencing materials as well as what a prison facility might look for in a fence solution below.
Types of Prison Fencing
When it comes to creating the fencing solution, the best thing you can do is work with a qualified company that has experience with prison fences. They can help you create the right structure to meet the unique needs of the facility. Many of these professional fencing providers have engineers and designers to cater to your needs.
There are so many different materials out there, but these are some common ones that might be used in a fence for prisons.
- Welded Wire Mesh: typically designed in a tight mesh pattern so that the fence cannot be intruded upon, cut, or climbed, this is a great design for security needs. While strong and secure, the mesh appearance still provides high visibility so both sides of the fence can be easily monitored. Additional measures such as razor wire or other implementations can easily be added to the structure.
- Bar and Rod Grille: this type of material will use a mixture of both horizontal and vertical bars to create an incredibly sturdy fence. The spacing can be customized but the materials (typically welded and galvanized) are highly rigid and strong. Again, they cannot be easily penetrated or climbed, and they can be customized.
- Precast Concrete: some maximum-security facilities that don’t need visibility turn to precast concrete walls, rather than a traditional fencing material. The concrete is practically impenetrable, resistant to scaling, and provides bullet protection as well. These are often reserved for facilities that need the highest level of containment.
These are only a few examples. Keep in mind there are other materials available, and your fencing provider can help you choose the best one.
Key Features of High-Security Prison Fencing
When choosing materials or even design ideas for a prison fence, it’s important to know the best qualities a fence can provide. There are some very straightforward features that nearly every facility is going to want in a fence. And being able to customize details for the unique needs or requirements of a facility will always make a difference.
Check out these key features:
- Anti-climb designs with tight mesh patterns or smooth surfaces that will prevent footholds and make climbing difficult or impossible
- Tamper-resistant materials that cannot be tampered with cut or penetrated easily
- Height is an important feature with certain requirements for prisons to meet
- Overhands can help prevent or deter scaling and provide additional security
- Integrated surveillance and security capabilities for sensors, cameras, etc.
In addition, it’s important to be able to add features as needed, such as razor wire for the top of the fence.
Final Thoughts
Effective prison fence solutions blend the need for a physical barrier with high-security features and the ability to customize or integrate the facility’s needs. Overall, the fence needs to be designed to be compliant with regulations while providing the unique specifications for the prison in question, taking into account monitoring and maintenance with the available options.