Prison Architect is an engaging building and management sim from Introversion Software that puts you in the shoes of a warden overseeing an unruly mob of convicts.
The game spent four years in open development, with regular monthly updates. To say the game is friendly to modders is an understatement. The developers added full mod support with the Alpha 15 release back in 2013. The "final" Version 2.0 was released in 2016, and there are thousands of user-created mods available on Steam Workshop. We've compiled some of the best to keep you entertained during your time behind bars.
Mods can often be hit-or-miss, so make sure you always download the latest version. Some mods don't play well with each other, and using several at once may disrupt basic game mechanics. Many mods are incompatible with saved games, so it's probably best to try them out with a new jail.
Ready? Let's go to the big house and check out the best mods for Prison Architect 2.0!
Real-Time Basketball
Doing time is no fun at all, and most prisoners need exercise from time to time. When a few weight benches in the yard won't cut it, let your cons hit the court with the innovative Real-Time Basketball mod.
It's almost a mini-game of its own -- you can zone a half-court for relaxed training, or the full court for a league game. What's more, the action plays out in real time so you can follow along and cheer for your favorites.
Star Wars - Imperial Architect
One of the most popular mods for the game sends you to a prison in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars - Imperial Architect doesn't change the basic gameplay, but the characters and textures are all re-skinned for the futuristic setting.
This mod is great to use with some of the Star Wars prison designs, such as the Millennium Falcon or the Star Destroyer. For a more immersive experience, grab the Imperial Architect Audio Mod and add authentic sounds and music from the Star Wars universe.
Snitch Sorter
Snitches and ex-cops don't last long in the joint. Sure, you can recruit confidential informants and pump them for information, but in the meantime the poor guy is getting shivved in the shower. The Snitch Sorter mod automatically detects these prisoners and changes their status to protective custody, so you can keep them out of the general population and out of danger.
Gulag
Welcome to jail, comrade! If the Soviets knew how to do one thing, it was build prisons. The Cold War may be over, but the Gulag mod puts you in charge of a labor camp in the barren wasteland of Siberia.
Computers and More
Your jailbirds will need some marketable skills if they ever get parole, and the Computers and More mod helps ensure they're ready to become valuable members of society. Build a computer room and schedule a reform program to help satisfy your prisoners' needs for family with internet chats and recreation with video games.
Consuela the Janitor
This mod doesn't do much, but it's pretty hilarious nonetheless. The Consuela mod replaces all your regular janitors with the dour and sardonic housekeeper from Family Guy.
Solar Power
Make your prison green with renewable energy! The Solar Power mod replaces your regular power station with an array of solar panels. Each one can support up to 40 capacitors with as many as eight panels, so you'll never need to worry about blackouts again.
Recycling
Now that you've got solar power, it's time to set up your own Recycling center. Dig through the trash and export some for money, or use it as fertilizer for your garden. The garden lets your prisoners make flowers for export and food for the kitchen. Contraband often ends up in the garbage too, so be sure you have some metal detectors and guard dogs nearby.
South Park Overhaul
Respect my authoritah! This mod replaces many of the game's sprites with popular characters from the long-running animated series. Grab South Park Overhaul and welcome Cartman, Chef, and many more to your prison.
Hotline Miami
Tired of staring at gray metal doors and soiled concrete floors all day? The Hotline Miami mod invigorates your prison with a vibrant new color palate. Now your cons can do their time with some real South Beach style!
Bonus: 3-D Mode
This is not really a mod -- it's actually an Easter Egg added by the developers, and a lot of fun to play around with. It was added in one of the early Alpha releases, but it went undiscovered for months.
It replaces the normal overhead view with a three-dimensional version of your prison. You can't build anything in 3-D mode, but you can hold down the right mouse button to move around and view different areas of your prison.
To activate it, go to the Extras menu and click on the small button in the lower left. It's easy to miss, and it looks like TT (or the Greek letter for Pi).
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That wraps up our list of the best mods for Prison Architect 2.0. Which mods are your favorites to use for prison building and management? Let us know in the comments!
