Inmates sleep in a military style double bunk and have an adjacent metal locker for storage of uniforms, undergarments, shoes, etc. Each dormitory is locked at night with a correctional officer providing direct supervision of the inmates and sleeping area. The prison usually has a double fence perimeter with armed watch towers or armed roving patrols. There is less supervision and control over the internal movement of inmates than in a close security prison. Some medium security prisons may be designed with dry cells as the method of inmate housing.
Dry cells contain no toilet fixture.
Most inmate work and self improvement programs are within the prison, although selected medium custody inmates are worked outside of the prison under armed supervision of trained correctional officers. These inmate work assignments support prison farm operations or highway maintenance for the Department of Transportation. Each medium security prison typically has a single cell unit for the punishment of inmates who violate prison rules. Minimum security Minimum security prisons are comprised of non-secure dormitories which are routinely patrolled by correctional officers. Like the medium security dorm, it has it's own group toilet and shower area adjacent to the sleeping quarters that contain double bunks and lockers.