ENFORCING MAXIMUM-SECURITY The first security check point at Brushy was the large gate and guard station located 200 yards from Highway 116. The main prison was surveilled by Tower Two, just above the vehicle trap-door gate entrance where prisoners first entered the grounds. Once the guard climbed the ladder to their post, they pulled it up behind them to protect their vantage point. Most weapons were checked and stashed in a bucket lifted up to the tower, as it was standard practice for prison employees to remain unarmed in the event that an inmate overpowered them and seized their weapon. There were also gun towers along the prison perimeter where guards inside were watching, always ready with a .38 revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun and a .223 rifle at their side.