Prison Architect Padded Cells

Start with 2-4 cells. You don't need a 20-man psych ward unless you have a massive prison (500+ inmates). Build slowly as your grant money allows.

Placing a shower head directly inside the cell over the toilet saves space. It allows inmates to satisfy their hygiene needs during lockdown or sleep blocks without moving to a communal shower room.

You cannot build a Padded Cell immediately. It requires specific research:

To establish a functional padded cell, you must meet these base criteria: : 2 x 3 squares (6 total squares). prison architect padded cells

: Soft walls and padded floors keep high-risk, agitated, or suicidal inmates from injuring themselves. 🛠️ How to Build a Padded Cell

| Feature | Standard Solitary Cell | Padded Cell | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | High (lowers stats) | Low (keeps them calm) | | Violence Chance | Moderate (lonely rage) | Very Low (sensory deprivation) | | Need Decay | Fast (hunger/thirst) | Slow (they are medicated via environment) | | Damage Risk | High (they break bed/toilet) | Zero (Super Bed/Toilet is indestructible) |

Padded cells are specialized containment units designed specifically for inmates. Standard cells or dormitory setups will not satisfy the housing requirements for these prisoners. Start with 2-4 cells

The blueprints for Sector 4 didn't look like the rest of the prison. There were no sharp angles or cold steel bars. Instead, the walls were thick, curved, and coated in a seamless, tear-resistant white vinyl. Warden Miller called it the "Soft Wing," but the guards just called it the Quiet Room.

: Build your Psychiatrist offices directly adjacent to the Padded Cell blocks to minimize travel time for consultations. Sanitization Prison Labor

Research the specific DLC node that grants access to criminally insane security sectors and padded cell blueprints. Step-by-Step: How to Build a Padded Cell Placing a shower head directly inside the cell

If your prison has a high ratio of violence, escapes, and fatalities, it might be a sign that your inmates aren't just bad—they are criminally insane. By building proper padded facilities, you can move from a frantic struggle for survival to a controlled, clinical operation.

Why are my padded cells showing a "Missing Requirements" error?

The Padded Cell is a holding tool; is the management tool. Simply throwing a CI inmate into a padded room is not enough; they need specific facilities to fulfill their primary needs.