In the 1970s, prison was a dangerous place. Prison violence and high numbers of disruptive inmates have led prison authorities to seek new ways to control inmates. Initially, prison staff sought to minimize contact with inmates by keeping them in their cells for most of the day. Over time, prison officials began to consider devoting entire prisons to using these types of procedures to control the most violent and disruptive inmates. In 1984, many states began building maximum security prisons. In California, two supermax facilities were built by the state: Corcoran State Prison in 1988, then Pelican Bay State Prison in 1989. The federal government quickly followed suit and in 1994, the "first federal supermax" was built. opened its doors in Florence, Colorado. It wasn't long before supermax prisons were visible across the country (Abramsky). In Wisconsin's supermax facilities, where similar conditions are found in the majority of supermaxes, there are "100-cell housing units" divided into groups of 25 cells. These cells all face a central secure area. Technology plays a major role in maintaining facilities to the highest safety standards. The doors to each cell are remotely controlled and the cells include “video surveillance, motion detection and exterior lighting” (Berge). In addition to these technological safeguards, there are also procedural precautions. Inmates are kept in their cells 23 hours a day until their sentences are served. It is said to be for the safety of prisoners and staff, although some believe otherwise. In 2001, 600 inmates at Pelican Bay began a hunger strike to demand reforms. The hunger strikers believed that the isolation and deprivation they faced violated their Eighth Amendment rights. ...... middle of paper ...... Reenhaven Press, 2005. Current controversies. Rep. from “Technology is the key to safety at the Wisconsin Supermax.” Corrections Today 63 (July 2001): 105-109. Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. February 25, 2014.Nicholson, Lucy. “Where are all the photographs of solitary confinement?” Prison photography. Np, and Web. February 24, 2014. Stickrath, Thomas J. and Gregory A. Bucholtz. “Maximum security prisons are needed.” Supermax Prisons: Beyond the Rock. Lanham, MD: American Correctional Institution, 2003. Rpt. in American prisons. Ed. Claire Hanrahan. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. February 25, 2014.Vogel, Nancy. “Prison rehabilitation can reduce costs, report says; Experts say overcrowding exacerbates high recidivism rates by denying inmates useful treatment. Los Angeles Times: 0, June 30, 2004. Proquest. Internet. February 24 2014