Why Are Jail Bars Vertical and Not Horizontal? Here’s What You Need to Know

Jaden Craymer
3 min readMar 26, 2023
black metal frame in grayscale photography

Have you ever wondered why jail bars are vertical and not horizontal? I’ll tell you, but first, let me share a story with you. One day, I was living my best life, and then out of nowhere, my neighbor challenged me to a duel. I know, right? A duel, in 2021? I couldn’t back down, of course. I went back to my apartment and spent the next three hours making the perfect pudding that I threw in my neighbor’s face while humming “Eye of the Tiger”. My opponent was shocked, but more importantly, he was defeated.

The Reason Behind Vertical Jail Bars

Now, back to the reason for vertical jail bars. It’s simple, really. Horizontal bars could easily be cut with a saw, while vertical bars require a lot more work to break down. And if you’re in jail, the more obstacles in your way, the better, am I right? The design also allows for more natural light to come into the cell.

black metal wire door

But the design of jail bars has changed over time. In the early 1800s, some prisons actually had horizontal bars. This changed as prisoners learned how to saw through these bars and escape. So, prison architects quickly realized that vertical bars were more effective at keeping their inmates inside.

The Design of Prison Cells

The design of prison cells has always been a bit of a controversial topic. Some people think that the cells should be small, cramped, and uncomfortable, while others think that they should be more spacious and accommodating. But there’s no denying that the design of the cell can have a significant impact on an inmate’s mental health.

photo of library hall

To deal with this issue, some architects have begun designing prisons that look less like battle bunkers and more like communities. These prisons feature common areas where inmates can congregate, exercise together, and learn new skills. The idea is to reduce the sense of isolation and make it easier for inmates to reintegrate into society once they’re released from prison.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the design of prison bars has changed over time, but vertical bars have proven to be more effective at keeping inmates inside. This change has helped to reduce the number of prison escapes and made prisons safer for everyone involved.

So, there you have it. The next time you see vertical jail bars, you’ll understand why they’re designed that way. And if anyone challenges you to a duel, just throw some pudding in their face to assert your dominance.

Article comes to you by Jaden — a man with the potential to win puddings throwing competitions

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Jaden Craymer

Software engineer, creative director, and actor with a psychological disorder. No niche. Just me and my brain.