Layers of heavy-duty chainlink fence separate the men who pace inside like caged animals. This is their one hour a day out of their cells, and they seem determined to get the most action from it. This is recreation time for prisoners in segregated custody at the High Security Center at the Adult Correctional Institutions, in Cranston –– Super Max to most.

This is “the end of the line” for inmates who have not been able to follow the rules of the institution, according to Capt. Arnold “Andy” Anderson, a corrections officer of almost 40 years. He’s worked at Super Max since 1991 and describes those inmates as the ones who “bury themselves” with their bad behavior.

These inmates, dressed in bright orange jumpsuits, are in C category to indicate their status. Because they have seriously broken the rules –– assaulting an officer or another inmate –– they are placed in this disciplinary category. They must wear restraints such as leg shackles and handcuffs any time they are moved out of their cells, even when they are taken to and from the exercise yard. They are allowed nothing in the exercise yard, not even a ball. So they pace.

Inmates classified B wear tan jumpsuits to distinguish them. Neither B nor C classified inmates may have a TV in a cell. Inmates in B category have limited privileges, are not segregated and are allowed more time out of their cells. Inmates in B category are allowed visitors but must speak to them on telephones through a panel of glass. Category C inmates are not permitted to have visitors. Chaplains must come to the C inmates as well as the library cart, but just two books are allowed in a cell at a time.

In addition to inmates whose behavior inside the ACI has sent them to Super Max, there are several other categories. Prisoners who need to be in protective custody, or A category, are clad in blue uniforms and prisoners under 18 who have been charged as adults and are either awaiting trial or to be sentenced wear green. There are limited programs for inmates. Minors attend classes, but there are no classes for adult inmates. But Anderson says there are programs, including anger management, that are “geared to get the inmate to return to the population.” An inmate may work his way out of C category with proper behavior as his record is reviewed every 30 days.

Because a high level of staffing is needed to manage Super Max, it is the most expensive facility to maintain at the ACI. It costs the state more than $100,000 a year for each inmate. With the population ranging from an average of 92 to 96 inmates at a time, there is a staff of 30 correctional officers.

Meanwhile, in the bare exercise yards about the only thing inmates are permitted to do is talk. Behind the thick and impenetrable layers of fencing, three pace back and forth calling to each other.