Prison Life stands out as one of the most replayed classic games on Roblox, captivating players with its deceptively simple premise: prisoners attempting to escape, and guards striving to maintain order. This dynamic creates an exciting environment filled with chases, fights, breakout attempts, and even riots, all within a single match. Whether you aim to master the art of escaping as a prisoner or to excel in maintaining control as a guard, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to succeed. We delve into the best controls, essential gameplay mechanics, and share veteran tips to elevate your gameplay. Let’s dive in!
What is Prison Life?
Prison Life is a thrilling roleplay/action game on Roblox where players can choose between two roles:
- Prisoner: You start in a jail cell, navigating prison life and plotting your escape.
- Guard: Equipped with weapons, your mission is to keep the prisoners under control and thwart their escape plans.
The game is a constant tug-of-war between chaos and order, offering an immersive experience filled with action and strategy.
Understand the Map and Locations
Mastering the map is crucial for success in Prison Life, whether you're a prisoner plotting an escape or a guard trying to prevent one. The map, located in the top right-hand corner, can be enlarged by clicking on it, providing a detailed view of the prison layout.
Key locations to familiarize yourself with include:
- Cell Block: The starting point for prisoners.
- Cafeteria: Where prisoners gather for meals at scheduled times.
- Yard: An open space for prisoners' free time, ideal for planning escapes.
- Security Room: A guard-only area equipped with weapons.
- Armory: Stores heavy weaponry.
- Parking Lot: Where police cars spawn, crucial for a successful escape.
- Outside Areas: Includes fences, towers, and paths leading to freedom.
As a prisoner, knowing all entry and exit points, including small doors, fence holes, and hidden paths, can significantly increase your chances of a successful escape.

Learn the Controls
Before diving into the controls, it's worth noting that certain features are exclusive to PC or laptop players using a keyboard and mouse. For a seamless experience, players can use BlueStacks, which supports multiple features to enhance your gameplay.
Here are the essential controls:
- Movement: Use arrow keys, WASD, or touchscreen to navigate.
- Jump: Press space or the jump button.
- Crouch: Use the 'C' key.
- Punch: Press the 'F' key.
- Sprint: Hold the 'Shift' key.
Keep an eye on your stamina bar, which depletes with each jump. Recharge it by eating meals in the cafeteria, though remember that meals now only provide temporary health boosts before reverting.
Basic Tips for Inmates
For those playing as prisoners, consider these strategies:
- Stay active to avoid being an easy target for guards using tasers.
- Learn the prison schedule to avoid restricted areas and reduce the risk of being arrested.
- If arrested, quickly reset your character to regain mobility.
- Vending machines are no longer useful for snacks but can provide cover from hostile fire.
- Initially, rushing the guard area for weapons with other prisoners can be effective, though risky. Stick to the schedule for safer gameplay.
- To discreetly obtain a weapon, use the camera glitch at the window near the yard to grab the primitive knife under the table, unnoticed by guards.
Basic Tips for Guards
For players choosing to play as guards, here are some tips to enhance your effectiveness:
- Immediately equip a shotgun or M4A1 from the armory in the guard area.
- Use your ability to open doors strategically, as other teams need to eliminate you to gain access.
- Utilize your taser and handcuffs to stun and arrest prisoners, but avoid overuse to prevent becoming a target.
- Obtain an AK47 from the warehouse for a free automatic weapon, but be wary of criminals respawning there.
- Refrain from random tasing or killing to avoid becoming an inmate yourself due to excessive force.
For an enhanced gaming experience, consider playing Roblox games like Prison Life on a PC or laptop using BlueStacks, which offers a larger screen and the precision of a keyboard and mouse.