Filming
Scenes at Fox River State Penitentiary were shot on location at the real-life Joliet Prison, which closed in 2002. Although some sets were specially built due to certain constrictions of the facility, many exterior and interior scenes were filmed within Joliet Prison such as the cell that was briefly occupied by serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Moreover, the utilization of Joliet Prison as the real-life representation of Fox River State Penitentiary contributed to the "narrative feel of the show". Series creator and executive producer Paul Scheuring further describes the prison as "a character in itself".
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