What type of facility exclusively holds inmates who require maximum security?

Supermax prisons are specifically designed to house inmates who pose the highest risks to security and safety within the correctional system. These facilities utilize extreme measures to ensure that these individuals cannot escape, harm others, or engage in illicit activities.

Inmates in supermax prisons are often those convicted of serious crimes, such as violent felonies or gang-related activities, and require isolation from the general prison population to maintain safety and order. The security features in these institutions are far more stringent than those found in minimum or medium security prisons, including enhanced surveillance, limited contact with staff and other inmates, and increased restrictions on movement.

Minimum security prisons serve lower-risk inmates and have more lenient security measures, while medium security prisons provide a middle ground, accommodating a broader range of offenders with varying levels of risk. Federal correctional facilities encompass a range of security levels and are not exclusively designated for maximum-security inmates. Thus, the definition and purpose of supermax prisons clearly identify them as the correct answer for housing inmates requiring maximum security.