How To Build A Yard In Prison Architect

Creating a yard in Prison Architect is one of the essential features for keeping your inmates happy and maintaining prison morale. This guide will walk you through both the manual customization method and the quick-build option, so you can choose whichever approach works best for your playstyle.

Step 1: Designate a Room as a Yard

The first step in building your yard is to designate the room itself. Open the rooms menu located on the bottom left of your screen and select “Yard” from the available options.

Once you’ve selected the yard option, designate the area where you want your yard to be located. Simply click and drag to outline the space you’d like to use for this recreational area.

Step 2: Build a Fence Around the Yard

With your yard area designated, you’ll need to build a fence to contain your inmates. Navigate to the “Walls and Doors” section in your build menu and select “Fence.”

Prison Architect offers you a choice between a grass version and a normal version of the fence. Select whichever aesthetic you prefer—for this guide, we’re using the normal version. Check the designation and place your fence around the perimeter of your yard area.

Step 3: Add Entertainment and Furniture

Now comes the fun part—furnishing your yard with entertainment options and furniture. You can add a variety of items to keep inmates occupied and improve their happiness, including:

Benches

Punching bags

Tire stacks

Chest tables

Wooden stools

Phone booths

Place these items strategically throughout your yard to create an engaging recreational space.

Step 4: Install Fence Gates

Don’t forget to add access points to your yard! Go back to the “Walls and Doors” menu and select “Fence Gate.” Place gates at the entry and exit points of your yard so guards and inmates can move in and out freely.

Alternative: Use Quick Build for Instant Yards

If you prefer not to spend time customizing your yard, Prison Architect offers a Quick Build option. Simply click on “Quick Build” and select “Yard” from the menu. This will instantly generate a default yard with pre-configured layout and furniture.

Using Quick Build saves you considerable time and effort while still providing inmates with a functional recreational space.

Summary

Building a yard in Prison Architect is straightforward and essential for maintaining inmate morale. Whether you choose to customize every detail or use the Quick Build feature, you’ll have a recreational area that keeps your prisoners happy and reduces behavioral issues. Choose the method that best fits your playstyle and continue building your perfect prison!

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