The Big House (1998)

Called the "Castle on the Cumberland", its inspiring medieval presence is a focal point on the landscape.

Also known as "Big Mac", the Oklahoma State Penitentiary is a maximum security prison in McAlester and houses some of Oklahoma's most dangerous criminals. The facility opened in 1908 and houses about 1,100 inmates over 1,500 acres in northwest McAlester. Prison also houses Oklahoma's death row and is the site of all of the state's executions. In the wake of two violent riots, Oklahoma State Penitentiary's inmates live in solitary confinement.

The largest prison system in the free world, its 20,000 male and female inmates reflect the crimes and racial tensions of LA. The challenge is staggering feed 75,000 meals a day and keep 16,000 gang members from killing each other.

The State Penitentiary in Auburn, New York is the centerpiece of a city and a monument to one of America's first attempts at criminal rehabilitation.

Herds of livestock roam here under the big Montana sky. Cowboys and wranglers watch over them. But these are not ordinary ranch hands. And this is no ordinary ranch. Welcome to the State Prison in Deer Lodge, Montana. 1,300 high and medium security inmates live here. Their range of crimes includes murder and robbery as well as drug possession and sex crimes. In its present day setting, Montana State Prison operates efficiently as both a ranch and a modern high security fortress. But it's legacy is dark and its history is marked by violent uprisings, inhumane conditions and brutality. We'll see where the story began --five miles away from the current cellblocks in the state's original stone prison -- now a relic and tourist attraction that looks like a castle. We'll meet inmates who work on the prison's farm and dairy as well as violent offenders who hold jobs as-- telemarketers.

State Prison, Parchman Mississippi... A land without visible boundries... Originally a slave plantation ruled by the whip... Today its most important crop is neither food or cotton... but prisoners. 75 percent are African-American. During its hundred-thirty year history, Parchman has embodied the traditions and folk wisdom of the American south in a way no other prison ever has. Its legacy includes brutal executions in the State's gas chamber and conjugal visits for the best behaved convicts. A large number of "lifers" have prepared themselves to die here. A few hold out hope of early release.

The Maine State Prison in Thomaston was built in 1823 to resemble other "dark and comfortless abodes of guilt and wretchedness" of the day, was closed in February of 2002 after 178 years of housing inmates, and 461 prisoners were moved to a new facility in the neighboring town of Warren. Institution was opened officially in July, 1824 to serve as a penitentiary where convicts were sentenced to hard labor and had always been a maximum security facility for adult felons. Over the years, the prisoners became well known for their woodworking skills, and handmade wood items like ship models have become collectibles.

Central Prison in Raleigh, is the first stop for all of North Carolina's male felons with sentences of 20 years or longer. It's also the last stop for men and women sentenced to death. Today, Central is a modern state-of-the-art prison, but it began as a dark dungeon built nearly 120 years ago.

It is Colorado's oldest penitentiary, nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Southern Colorado.It can trace its roots back to the days of frontier justice. Welcome to the State Prison in Canon City, Colorado. It's more than just a penitentiary--today, it's a clearing house for most of the convicted male felons in the state. Their ages range from 19 to 66 years old. Their sentences, anything from one year to life in prison. Institution has housed prisoners ranging from cannibal Alfred Packer to a heavyweight boxing contender.

Located near Belfast, Maze Prison holds both Catholic and Protestant prisoners, members of paramilitary groups like the Irish Republican Army. The prison consists of 8 H-shaped cell blocks with cameras, searchlights, 16-foot walls, and guard towers.