All state correctional facilities average approximately 1 million square feet of building space and are sited on an average of 350 acres. Because prisons must provide the confined population with all of the services generally provided in a small city, its infrastructure includes a variety of buildings and systems including housing, pharmacies, dining and food preparation facilities, treatment space, chapels, recreation areas, classrooms, libraries, warehousing and storage space, and vocational and industrial space.

In addition, prisons have sophisticated energy, utility, telecommunications, and electronic security systems. Because of their size and often-remote locations, many prisons operate their own water and wastewater treatment systems. Some prisons also produce a portion of their power through cogeneration plants. Because all operations must occur in a secure environment, prisons have various features and systems to provide both internal and perimeter security.