Fox River State Penitentiary
Encyclopedia
Fox River State Penitentiary is a fiction
al level five maximum-security prison featured prominently in the first season (and briefly in the second season) of the television series, Prison Break
. The real-life representation of the prison is Joliet Prison
, which is located in Joliet, Illinois
. The fictional prison is likely named after the real Fox River
about 20 miles outside Joliet, Illinois.
As shown in the episodes "Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part one and two)", the general prison population is divided into east and west cell blocks in A and B wings respectively. These two wings are completely segregated by the South wing, which holds the administration staff. In a subsequent episode, "The Old Head", it is revealed that the infirmary is located on the opposite end of the prison to the A wing. A storage room, which later became the correctional officers' break room, is located at the center of the prison, directly above the underground pipes.
Built in 1907, the prison has an extensive underground pipe system. In the episode "By the Skin and the Teeth", Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller
) explains to his cellmate, Fernando Sucre
(Amaury Nolasco
) that over the century the original lead pipes were replaced by copper pipes and then later, by industrial plastic pipes. The replacement pipes were laid over the older ones, because that was cheaper, and thus leaving a complex network of pipes beneath the prison.
) established the prison industries (PI) program to allow the prisoners to gain skills training like landscaping and various other industrial vocations. Armed with his beliefs in rehabilitation, Warden Pope also ran an award-winning educational program which helped the inmates gain high school equivalency diplomas and occasionally, bachelor degrees.
" and the "lockdown" riot in the episodes "Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part one and two)".
Days before the race riot, the tension between white and black inmates rose as they both prepared discreetly for the inevitable fight. The white supremacists led by T-Bag (Robert Knepper
), a member of the Alliance for Purity, gathered weapons including shanks
and a screw which Michael had loosened from the bleachers that had been claimed by T-Bag. The fight broke out during a head count which resulted in many injuries and deaths. The riot was stopped when the guards eventually regained control and Warden Pope initiated a lockdown
for the following 48 hours.
Soon after, due to the schedule of escape plan, Michael was forced to shut off the air conditioner in order to cause chaos among the other inmates and in so doing, forcing the guards to put the A-wing in lockdown. T-Bag continuously complained about the heat and eventually caused C.O. Geary (Matt DeCaro
) to toss his drink in his face and initiated a lockdown. However, T-Bag and his followers refused to return to their cells, resulting in the guards retreating back behind the gates. The inmates then started pulling on the bars and later, gained access to the control room which allowed them to free the other prisoners, causing a full-scale riot. The riot was stopped after the Governor of Illinois
, Frank Tancredi (John Heard) intervened and sent special units to regain control of the facility.
had been delegated the task of re-fitting the prison, which allowed him access to all of the blueprints for the facility.
After Michael's brother, Lincoln Burrows
(Dominic Purcell) was framed for the murder
of Terrence Steadman, brother of then-Vice President
Caroline Reynolds (Patricia Wettig
), he was convicted and placed on death row
at Fox River. Michael eventually developed an elaborate plan to break his brother out of prison
. He committed an armed robbery, then allowed himself to be arrested, pleading no contest to the charges but requesting incarceration at a facility close by - Fox River State Penitentiary. Prior to his arrest, Michael had extensive tattoo work done over his upper body which included the plans for the prison and various other codes (hidden in the artwork, so as not to arouse suspicion). Once inside, he enlisted the aid of several inmates who would prove useful to the escape.
Though the escape attempt suffered a number of setbacks and a number of other inmates forced their way into the escape plan, they eventually successfully escaped climbing across a wire and going over the prison walls. Michael, Lincoln, and the six other escapees would come to be known as "The Fox River Eight" in the second season. They consisted of the following inmates:
Additionally, two other inmates, Charles Westmoreland (Muse Watson
) - (60 Years to Life for Vehicular Manslaughter) and Manche Sanchez (Joseph Nunez
) - (6-7 Years for Break and Enter and Burglary
) were involved in the escape plan, though Sanchez was captured, and Westmoreland died of injuries sustained earlier.
The Fox River Eight escape was the first successful escape in the history of Fox River State Penitentiary.
The escape of eight felons led to the dismissal of Captain Brad Bellick
(Wade Williams
) and the resignation of Warden Henry Pope. Dr. Sara Tancredi
(Sarah Wayne Callies
) was arrested and faced possible charges in aiding the escape, though she was later bailed out by her father, Governor
Frank Tancredi.
Pope was succeeded as Warden of Fox River soon after by Ed Pavelka (Brandon Mychal Smith), a much more hard-line individual who vowed not to make the same perceived mistakes as his predecessor.
(William Fichtner
) in Tooele, Utah
. Charles Patoshik committed suicide in Wisconsin. Benjamin Miles Franklin turned himself in, but all charges against him were dropped, and he was placed in the Witness Protection Program after making a deal to testify against Alexander Mahone. Theodore Bagwell, Michael Scofield, and eventually Fernando Sucre were recaptured in Panama where they were sent to Penitenciaría Federal de Sona
. Michael Scofield managed to escape from Sona with three others. Lincoln Burrows was exonerated of all charges by the testimony of Paul Kellerman, and he is, as a result, now a free man. C-Note, Sucre, and Burrows all get their charges dropped for giving Syclla to Kellerman. Theodore T-Bag Bagwell was returned to Fox River after his capture.
, which closed in 2002. Although some sets were specially built due to certain constrictions of the facility, many exterior and interior scenes were filmed within Joliet Prison such as the cell that was briefly occupied by serial killer John Wayne Gacy
. Moreover, the utilization of Joliet Prison as the real-life representation of Fox River State Penitentiary contributed to the "narrative feel of the show". Series creator and executive producer Paul Scheuring
further describes the prison as "a character in itself".
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al level five maximum-security prison featured prominently in the first season (and briefly in the second season) of the television series, Prison Break
Prison Break
Prison Break is an American television serial drama created by Paul Scheuring, that was broadcast on the Fox Broadcasting Company for four seasons, from 2005 until 2009. The series revolves around two brothers; one has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an...
. The real-life representation of the prison is Joliet Prison
Joliet Prison
Joliet Correctional Center was a prison in Joliet, Illinois, United States from 1858 to 2002. It is featured in the motion picture The Blues Brothers as the prison from which Jake Blues is released at the beginning of the movie...
, which is located in Joliet, Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
. The fictional prison is likely named after the real Fox River
Fox River (Illinois River tributary)
The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois in the United States. There are two other "Fox Rivers" in southern Illinois: the Fox River and a smaller "Fox River" that joins the Wabash River near New Harmony, Indiana.-Wisconsin:The Fox River rises near...
about 20 miles outside Joliet, Illinois.
Structural organization
Fox River State Penitentiary assumes many characteristics of its real-life counterpart, Joliet Prison. Its structure and layout are the same, with the exception of its three-tiered A-wing in contrast to the two tiers in Joliet Prison.As shown in the episodes "Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part one and two)", the general prison population is divided into east and west cell blocks in A and B wings respectively. These two wings are completely segregated by the South wing, which holds the administration staff. In a subsequent episode, "The Old Head", it is revealed that the infirmary is located on the opposite end of the prison to the A wing. A storage room, which later became the correctional officers' break room, is located at the center of the prison, directly above the underground pipes.
Built in 1907, the prison has an extensive underground pipe system. In the episode "By the Skin and the Teeth", Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Earl Miller III is an English-born American actor; model and screenwriter who rose to stardom following his role as Michael Scofield in the Fox Network television series Prison Break.-Early life:...
) explains to his cellmate, Fernando Sucre
Fernando Sucre
Fernando Sucre, played by Amaury Nolasco, is a fictional character from the American television series, Prison Break. He is introduced to the series in the pilot episode as the prison cellmate of the series protagonist, Michael Scofield .-Background:Of Puerto Rican descent, Sucre grew up in Chicago...
(Amaury Nolasco
Amaury Nolasco
Amaury Nolasco Garrido is a Puerto Rican actor, best known for the role of Fernando Sucre on the television series Prison Break, and for his role in Transformers.-Early life:...
) that over the century the original lead pipes were replaced by copper pipes and then later, by industrial plastic pipes. The replacement pipes were laid over the older ones, because that was cheaper, and thus leaving a complex network of pipes beneath the prison.
Reputation and incidents
Rehabilitation program
During his eighteen years as the warden of Fox River State Penitentiary, Henry Pope (Stacy KeachStacy Keach
Stacy Keach is an American actor and narrator. He is most famous for his dramatic roles; however, he has done narration work in educational programming on PBS and the Discovery Channel, as well as some comedy and musical...
) established the prison industries (PI) program to allow the prisoners to gain skills training like landscaping and various other industrial vocations. Armed with his beliefs in rehabilitation, Warden Pope also ran an award-winning educational program which helped the inmates gain high school equivalency diplomas and occasionally, bachelor degrees.
Riots
The two notable riots which occurred during the incarceration of Michael Scofield were the race riot in the episode "AllenAllen (Prison Break episode)
"Allen" is the second episode of television series Prison Break, which was first broadcast on television on August 29, 2005. The episode is the second to air alongside the Pilot episode as part of the two-part start of the series. "Allen" was written by series creator Paul Scheuring and directed by...
" and the "lockdown" riot in the episodes "Riots, Drills and the Devil (Part one and two)".
Days before the race riot, the tension between white and black inmates rose as they both prepared discreetly for the inevitable fight. The white supremacists led by T-Bag (Robert Knepper
Robert Knepper
Robert Lyle Knepper is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell in the Fox network's drama series Prison Break, for which he was nominated a Satellite Award...
), a member of the Alliance for Purity, gathered weapons including shanks
Shiv (weapon)
A shiv is a slang term for any sharp or pointed implement used as a knife-like weapon. However, the word in practical usage is frequently used when referring to an improvised bladed weapon. Shivs are commonly made by inmates in prisons across the world...
and a screw which Michael had loosened from the bleachers that had been claimed by T-Bag. The fight broke out during a head count which resulted in many injuries and deaths. The riot was stopped when the guards eventually regained control and Warden Pope initiated a lockdown
Lockdown
There are several definitions for the term lockdown, the most common of which pertains to a state of containment or a restriction of progression....
for the following 48 hours.
Soon after, due to the schedule of escape plan, Michael was forced to shut off the air conditioner in order to cause chaos among the other inmates and in so doing, forcing the guards to put the A-wing in lockdown. T-Bag continuously complained about the heat and eventually caused C.O. Geary (Matt DeCaro
Matt DeCaro
Matt DeCaro is a film and stage actor. He appeared in the film Mr. 3000 as a reporter and in Victory Garden’s production of Symmetry. He is arguably best known for his role as Correctional Officer Roy Geary on the hit series Prison Break....
) to toss his drink in his face and initiated a lockdown. However, T-Bag and his followers refused to return to their cells, resulting in the guards retreating back behind the gates. The inmates then started pulling on the bars and later, gained access to the control room which allowed them to free the other prisoners, causing a full-scale riot. The riot was stopped after the Governor of Illinois
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
, Frank Tancredi (John Heard) intervened and sent special units to regain control of the facility.
Escapes
A few years prior to Michael's arrest in flashback episode "Brother's Keeper", Fox River had undergone renovations and the company he worked for as a structural engineerStructural engineer
Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants...
had been delegated the task of re-fitting the prison, which allowed him access to all of the blueprints for the facility.
After Michael's brother, Lincoln Burrows
Lincoln Burrows
Lincoln Burrows, played by Dominic Purcell, is one of the main protagonists of the American television series, Prison Break. The plot of Prison Break revolves around Lincoln Burrows' setup for the murder of the vice president's brother and his brother's plan to help him escape his death sentence....
(Dominic Purcell) was framed for the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of Terrence Steadman, brother of then-Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
Caroline Reynolds (Patricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig
Patricia Wettig is an American actress and playwright. She is best known for her roles in the television series Thirtysomething, Prison Break and Brothers & Sisters...
), he was convicted and placed on death row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
at Fox River. Michael eventually developed an elaborate plan to break his brother out of prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
. He committed an armed robbery, then allowed himself to be arrested, pleading no contest to the charges but requesting incarceration at a facility close by - Fox River State Penitentiary. Prior to his arrest, Michael had extensive tattoo work done over his upper body which included the plans for the prison and various other codes (hidden in the artwork, so as not to arouse suspicion). Once inside, he enlisted the aid of several inmates who would prove useful to the escape.
Though the escape attempt suffered a number of setbacks and a number of other inmates forced their way into the escape plan, they eventually successfully escaped climbing across a wire and going over the prison walls. Michael, Lincoln, and the six other escapees would come to be known as "The Fox River Eight" in the second season. They consisted of the following inmates:
- Michael ScofieldMichael ScofieldMichael J. Scofield is the main protagonist in the American television series Prison Break. He is portrayed by Wentworth Miller. The character first appeared in the series pilot as a man who stages a bank robbery in order to get sent into the prison where his older brother, Lincoln Burrows , is...
(Wentworth MillerWentworth MillerWentworth Earl Miller III is an English-born American actor; model and screenwriter who rose to stardom following his role as Michael Scofield in the Fox Network television series Prison Break.-Early life:...
) - 5 Years for Armed RobberyRobberyRobbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
(Exonerated) - Lincoln BurrowsLincoln BurrowsLincoln Burrows, played by Dominic Purcell, is one of the main protagonists of the American television series, Prison Break. The plot of Prison Break revolves around Lincoln Burrows' setup for the murder of the vice president's brother and his brother's plan to help him escape his death sentence....
(Dominic Purcell) - Scheduled to be executed a week after the escape for the supposed murder of Terrence Steadman (Exonerated) - Fernando SucreFernando SucreFernando Sucre, played by Amaury Nolasco, is a fictional character from the American television series, Prison Break. He is introduced to the series in the pilot episode as the prison cellmate of the series protagonist, Michael Scofield .-Background:Of Puerto Rican descent, Sucre grew up in Chicago...
(Amaury NolascoAmaury NolascoAmaury Nolasco Garrido is a Puerto Rican actor, best known for the role of Fernando Sucre on the television series Prison Break, and for his role in Transformers.-Early life:...
) - 5 Years for Aggravated RobberyRobberyRobbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
(Exonerated) - John Abruzzi (Peter StormarePeter Stormareis a Swedish film, stage, voice and television actor as well as a theatrical director, playwright and musician.- Early life :...
) - 120 Years for Conspiracy to Murder (Deceased) - Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (Robert KnepperRobert KnepperRobert Lyle Knepper is an American actor. He is best known for starring as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell in the Fox network's drama series Prison Break, for which he was nominated a Satellite Award...
) - Life for 6 Counts of KidnappingKidnappingIn criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
, RapeRapeRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and First Degree MurderMurderMurder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
(Captured) - Benjamin Miles "C-Note" FranklinBenjamin Miles "C-Note" FranklinBenjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin, played by Rockmond Dunbar, is a fictional character from the American television series, Prison Break. The character was introduced as a prisoner in the pilot episode. The actor was promoted from a recurring guest star to a regular cast member midway through the...
(Rockmond DunbarRockmond DunbarRockmond Dunbar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenny Chadway on the Showtime television drama series Soul Food, and as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin on the FOX television drama series Prison Break...
) - 8 Years for Possession of stolen goodsPossession of stolen goodsPossession of stolen goods is a crime in which an individual has bought, been given, or acquired stolen goods some other way.In many countries, if an individual has accepted possession of goods or property and knew they were stolen, then the individual is typically charged with a misdemeanor or...
(Captured) Now Exonerated - David "Tweener" Apolskis (Lane GarrisonLane GarrisonLane Edward Garrison is an American actor best known for the role of David "Tweener" Apolskis on the television series Prison Break.-Early life:Garrison was born in Dallas, Texas on May 23, 1980 and raised in Richardson, Texas...
) - 5 Years for Grand Larceny (Deceased) - Charles "Haywire" Patoshik (Silas Weir MitchellSilas Weir Mitchell (actor)Silas Weir Mitchell is an American character actor known for playing disturbing or unstable characters.-Career:He has had recurring guest roles in the first season of 24 , My Name Is Earl , and Prison Break...
) - 60 Years for Second Degree MurderMurderMurder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
(Deceased)
Additionally, two other inmates, Charles Westmoreland (Muse Watson
Muse Watson
Muse Watson is an American stage and screen actor. He most recently appeared as the recurring character Mike Franks in the television drama NCIS.-Biography:Watson was born on July 20, 1948 in Alexandria, Louisiana...
) - (60 Years to Life for Vehicular Manslaughter) and Manche Sanchez (Joseph Nunez
Joseph Nunez
Joseph Nunez is an American actor and comedian most notable for his recurring role as Manche Sanchez on the show Prison Break. He also played a cleaner in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and the man who ran over Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness...
) - (6-7 Years for Break and Enter and Burglary
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
) were involved in the escape plan, though Sanchez was captured, and Westmoreland died of injuries sustained earlier.
The Fox River Eight escape was the first successful escape in the history of Fox River State Penitentiary.
The escape of eight felons led to the dismissal of Captain Brad Bellick
Brad Bellick
Bradley "Brad" Bellick is a fictional character from the American television series, Prison Break. He is portrayed by Wade Williams. As one of the principal characters of Prison Break, he has been featured in all four seasons of the series...
(Wade Williams
Wade Williams
Wade Andrew Williams is an American actor who is best known for his starring role as Brad Bellick on Fox's television series Prison Break.-Personal life:...
) and the resignation of Warden Henry Pope. Dr. Sara Tancredi
Sara Tancredi
Dr. Sara Tancredi is a fictional character from the American television series, Prison Break. She is played by Sarah Wayne Callies. Her role in the first season of the series is a prison doctor.- Background :...
(Sarah Wayne Callies
Sarah Wayne Callies
Sarah Wayne Callies is an American actress who is best known for her role as Sara Tancredi in the American television series Prison Break. She now plays Lori Grimes in The Walking Dead.- Early life :...
) was arrested and faced possible charges in aiding the escape, though she was later bailed out by her father, Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Frank Tancredi.
Pope was succeeded as Warden of Fox River soon after by Ed Pavelka (Brandon Mychal Smith), a much more hard-line individual who vowed not to make the same perceived mistakes as his predecessor.
Aftermath
The Fox River Eight led authorities on the largest nationwide manhunt in American history. John Abruzzi was killed by an FBI team outside a motel in Washington D.C. David Apolskis was killed by FBI Agent Alexander MahoneAlexander Mahone
Alexander "Alex" Mahone is a fictional character portrayed by William Fichtner in the American television series Prison Break. The series revolves around two brothers: one who has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and his younger sibling, a genius who devises an elaborate plan...
(William Fichtner
William Fichtner
William Edward Fichtner is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Sheriff Tom Underlay on Invasion, as Alexander Mahone on Prison Break, as William Sharp in Armageddon, and as Ken Rosenberg in the video games Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.- Early life...
) in Tooele, Utah
Tooele, Utah
Tooele is a city in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 22,502 at the 2000 census, and 30,708 as of the 2009 estimates. It is the county seat of Tooele County...
. Charles Patoshik committed suicide in Wisconsin. Benjamin Miles Franklin turned himself in, but all charges against him were dropped, and he was placed in the Witness Protection Program after making a deal to testify against Alexander Mahone. Theodore Bagwell, Michael Scofield, and eventually Fernando Sucre were recaptured in Panama where they were sent to Penitenciaría Federal de Sona
Penitenciaría Federal de Sona
Penitenciaría Federal de Sona is a fictional prison in the TV series Prison Break. The prison is set in Panama...
. Michael Scofield managed to escape from Sona with three others. Lincoln Burrows was exonerated of all charges by the testimony of Paul Kellerman, and he is, as a result, now a free man. C-Note, Sucre, and Burrows all get their charges dropped for giving Syclla to Kellerman. Theodore T-Bag Bagwell was returned to Fox River after his capture.
Filming
Scenes at Fox River State Penitentiary were shot on location at the real-life Joliet PrisonJoliet Prison
Joliet Correctional Center was a prison in Joliet, Illinois, United States from 1858 to 2002. It is featured in the motion picture The Blues Brothers as the prison from which Jake Blues is released at the beginning of the movie...
, which closed in 2002. Although some sets were specially built due to certain constrictions of the facility, many exterior and interior scenes were filmed within Joliet Prison such as the cell that was briefly occupied by serial killer John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. was an American serial killer, rapist and clown who sexually assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978. Gacy buried 26 of his victims in the crawlspace of his home, buried three others elsewhere on his property, and discarded the...
. Moreover, the utilization of Joliet Prison as the real-life representation of Fox River State Penitentiary contributed to the "narrative feel of the show". Series creator and executive producer Paul Scheuring
Paul Scheuring
Paul T. Scheuring is an American screenwriter and director for films and television shows. His work includes the 2003 film A Man Apart and, more notably, the creation of the television drama Prison Break, for which he is also credited as an executive producer and Head Writer.-Biography:Scheuring...
further describes the prison as "a character in itself".
See also
- List of fictional prisons
- Penitenciaria Federal de SonaPenitenciaría Federal de SonaPenitenciaría Federal de Sona is a fictional prison in the TV series Prison Break. The prison is set in Panama...