Unlike many shows that rely on soundstages, Prison Break filmed on location in a decommissioned maximum-security prison. This wasn't a set dressed to look like a prison; it was a prison. The peeling paint, the imposing iron gates, and the narrow, claustrophobic cells were 100% authentic.

In addition to the exterior shots, some interior scenes were also filmed at the Indiana location. However, due to logistical and practical constraints, many interior scenes were filmed at a studio in Los Angeles, California. The studio sets were designed to replicate the prison's interior, complete with cells, corridors, and common areas. This allowed the production team to have greater control over the lighting, camera angles, and other technical aspects of filming.

The decision to film Season 1 inside Joliet Correctional Center remains the gold standard for prison dramas. It provided an authenticity that anchored the show's most outlandish plot twists. While the subsequent seasons in Dallas offered a competent and visually interesting backdrop for the chase, they never quite matched the visceral impact of those original cellblocks.

The prison closed in 2002, just a few years before filming began.