Iron Heights

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Iron Heights is a fictional setting, a maximum-security prison which houses the many Flash rogues and metahuman criminals of Keystone City and Central City when captured. Iron Heights first appeared in Flash: Iron Heights (2001).

Located about three miles north of Keystone City, Iron Heights is known for its vicious and brutal treatment of its prisoners. Under the ruthless authority of the current Warden Gregory Wolfe, a former prosecutor of St. Louis, Iron Heights has become a living "hellhole" to those in the prison. Possessing a personal hatred for the "supervillains", Wolfe instituted a lockdown system in the building, guards were ordered to shoot any prisoner on sight if they were trying to escape or caught outside the prison, and the prisoners were beaten on a daily basis. He also has the metahuman ability to tense up muscles, which he uses on the prisoners, guards, and even the Flash.

The metahuman and supervillain prisoners are jailed in an area known as the Pipeline. The Pipeline was the dark, dank basement of Iron Heights where the prisoners were treated under awful living conditions with little food or water. The prisoners are kept in their costumes so the guards can identify them immediately.

Guards have orders to shoot any "mask" spotted outside the Pipeline.

Despite these harsh conditions and the ruthless warden, breakouts have occurred in Iron Heights. A riot occurred when a virus was released in the prison by Murmur, with Blacksmith's help. The viral outbreak ended up killing guards and prisoners, and Murmur and prisoners of the Pipeline (Weather Wizard and Girder) escaped. Gorilla Grodd also escaped when he controlled gorillas to break him loose from his confinement.

In the Outsiders Annual #1, the Outsiders break into Iron Heights in order to rescue Black Lightning. Everything does not go as planned, and eventually the prisoners are able to use their abilities again. Massive riots break out and Wolfe leads the riot squad in trying to round everyone up. As Wolfe tries to apprehend the Outsiders using his powers, Shift releases gases into the air to counteract it. As a result, Wolfe has a breakdown and increases the intensity of his power. In doing so, Wolfe kills 44 people, not including the Outsiders, who were protected by Shift.