I just saw this tonight, I enjoyed it. It seemed tame compared to most of the prison movies I've seen. I know it's caught some flak for this, but I've heard people who've actually been to prison say this is more what it's like. I also just assumed it was set in a medium security facility or something. On the Wikipedia article for the movie, though, it says this was set in San Quentin. That I don't buy for a moment.
shareGlad you liked it. I can see your point to an extent. The filmmakers wanted an old prison as the setting. Both Quentin and Holmesburg(filmed at) were built in the 1800's. Here's some good pics of Holmesburg:
http://www.abandonedbutnotforgotten.com/holmesburg_prison.htm
Most prison movies are hollywierd. So, they may be not as "tame" but, not very realistic. Animal Farm was closer to a real California prison experience. The writer did a lot of years at Quentin.
Quentin is Maximum and so was Holmesburg in it's heyday. Not sure in it's later years. Classifications change. For instance Old Folsom was maximum but, now is medium(level 2/California). Now, New Folsom is where the level 3 and 4 yards are. The old prisons have more nooks and crannies. Most inmate's would prefer this because of that fact. This may be why you thought it was medium security. Because, if Holmesburg was still in use it would likely be a medium security prison.
Side Note: In California, Lifers can be on medium security yards. Level 2 yards can be eventful. A lot of people trying to make their mark.
Also, filming at an old prison made for more "texture" in the film. It would be sterile and boring to watch a film about someone doing there time in a SHU program. Watching people fly "kites" all day won't make a good movie.