InsaneJournal

I. Island, construction, levels;

The island;

• Out 'somewhere' in the North Sea, Azkaban is perpetually exposed to the colder elements (which are more bearable in summer and less bearable in winter), and surrounded by a thick fog - which is aggravated by the presence of so many dementors.
• A barrier surrounding the island protects it from apparition; only one floo connect to Azkaban (from the ministry). The only other way on or off is through an authorised portkey, flying, or swimming. It is unplottable.

• Azkaban is a large tower with a central staircase that leads out into the open, as well as to each level. Every cell has a window that leads either to the 'outside' elements or to the 'inside' elements (of the staircase).
• Azkaban was made millenia ago by enslaved giants and is constructed of, simply put, big effing rocks. Though sturdy and nearly impossible to breach, very little thought was put into mortar or binding, so the insides are very very exposed to the outside weather, which doesn't help with the health of the prisoners.

• Contains house elves that do the "cooking" and transport the food up into the cells simultaneously (like it is done at Hogwarts). This way elves don't ever come into contact with dementors.

First level;

• Human guards. Icky job but someone has to do it. These guys handle intake, putting the prisoners in cells, dealing with visitors of any kind, and generally keeping an eye on things.
• Shifts go from 7am to 7pm; the prisoners are on their own after that.

Second through whatever level;

• Houses the prisoners. There are 20 cells per floor in a circular pattern. Each "petal" (see above) contains four cells with the closest level of interaction. Prisoners can communicate best with cells directly across them and diagonal to them. They can hear cells beside them but obviously can't see them. Hallway vision is limited.

Top level;

• Dementor playhouse; this is where they go when required to clear out for special visitors or guards who need to do rounds for some reason. It is directly open to the elements, so it's more of a 'roof' than a level.
   

II. Cell layout;

Clothing;

• Prisoners are given no extra clothing upon entrance to Azkaban, and there is no prison uniform. Whatever the prisoner was wearing upon admission is what they will be wearing until it falls off of them, at which point, if the guards notice, they will be given highly uncomfortable, hard wearing trousers and a shirt of some kind.

Toiletries;

• Privacy is granted but limited, and the toilet and water is located alongside the cell door for limited visual access. Though not exactly 'modern' facilities, the place is kept clean magically so that weird smells and icky things do not accrue.
• A large trough of fresh cold water is provided to prisoners at all times for drinking and bathing. It's not fresh sierra springs mineral water, but it's potable.

• Let's just say posturepedic mattresses are not available. It's hard, it's uncomfortable, it's basically like sleeping on a piece of wood - which is probably what it is. On the plus side, no bugs would be caught dead on it, and it doesn't get lumpy.
• One blanket is provided 9 months out of the year, pretty thin and all but useless. Another, slightly thicker blanket is given during 3 of the worst winter months (December, January, February) to keep the prisoners from dying of exposure outright.

• Food appears near the cell door at 7.00am and 4.00pm precisely. It is positioned such that the prisoner is forced to go near the hallway to retrieve it. Dementors flock to the hallways during feeding times; those closest to the cell doors are worst affected, those furthest away are less affected - though if a dementor's attentions are on you, you're basically screwed.
• During feeding times, the dementors have free reign of all cells and can do whatever they want except administer the kiss. Prisoners learn quickly not to attract any attention at these times lest a dementor decide to enter their cell.
• "Food" consists of a rather unappetising grey gruel that contains enough nutrients to stay alive but not much to grow on. Variety is a luxury that prisoners don't get.