Impel Down

Biodata

Structure and Location

• Undersea tower: Most of the enormous tower-shaped prison extends beneath the ocean, with its lowest levels deep underwater 27.
• Surrounding waters: Massive Sea Kings inhabit the Calm Belt around the prison, forming a natural barrier against intrusion and escape 27 144.
• Nearby institutions: Impel Down, Marineford, and Enies Lobby form a triangle with relatively short distances between them 28.
• Interior: Gloomy corridors, widespread surveillance, and prisoners' cries characterize the upper levels. Level 6 initially presents a quieter atmosphere, with inmates silently scrutinizing visitors 27 28.

Documented Levels

Security and Prison Conditions

Physical Defenses

• Seastone-reinforced walls: Large quantities of Seastone powder are mixed into the walls. This makes them resemble seawater to Sea Kings, preventing attacks on the structure, and slightly restricts some Devil Fruit users 27 144.
• Marine perimeter: Warships and Marine personnel guard the exterior; the Marines provide outside security because the prison's own forces are comparatively limited 121.
• Surveillance Den Den Mushi: Almost every interior corner is monitored. Beckman avoids destroying too many during his infiltration because widespread failures would alert the staff 27 145.
• Elevators: A giant elevator connects the floors, while a staff elevator provides access between the lower levels 28 145.

Intake and Containment

• Search procedure: New prisoners are stripped and placed in boiling water for disinfection and to check for concealed escape tools 134.
• Restraints: Shanks is held on Level 6 with four thick chains securing his limbs to the floor 135.
• Patrols: The elderly Chief Warden personally inspects Level 6 daily and instructs Magellan to increase patrols and inspections upon succeeding him 149.
• Vivre Card monitoring: Hannyabal's Vivre Card alerts Magellan when he is gravely injured, exposing the otherwise-undetected rescue operation 149 150 154.
• Attrition: In Starvation Hell, Blazing Hell, and Freezing Hell, prisoners incarcerated for more than three months generally lose most of their fighting ability. Recently admitted prisoners and Level 6 inmates remain the greater threats 154.

Staff Combat Power

• Magellan's poison: His Venom-Venom Fruit is especially dangerous in the prison's confined spaces. Shakky warns that a frontal assault could result in the entire rescue party being wiped out 142.
• Shiryu's brutality: Prisoners fear Shiryu more than the rule-abiding Magellan because he draws blood at slight provocation. During the riot, he reports killing every criminal on the other levels 149 155.

Administration and Personnel

The Chief Warden is Impel Down's highest-ranking official, theoretically equal in rank to the Marine Fleet Admiral. Impel Down and the Marines are separate World Government institutions with a cooperative relationship 27.

History

Golden Lion's Escape

Golden Lion Shiki was imprisoned after attacking Marine Headquarters. Two years later, he cut off his own legs and escaped, becoming the first successful escapee in Impel Down's history. The breakout shattered the prison's reputation as unbreakable 27 77.

Crocodile's Imprisonment

Following Atlas's arrest of Crocodile in Alabasta, Sengoku insisted that Crocodile lose his Shichibukai title and be sent to Impel Down. Atlas and Tokikake escorted him from G-8, and prison staff secured him in Level 6 26 27 28.

Shanks and Teach's Arrival

Atlas later delivered Shanks and Marshall D. Teach to the prison, both shackled from head to toe. Hannyabal received them for intake, with both designated for Level 6. Shanks was subsequently held beside Doflamingo and Crocodile 133 134 135.

Teach's capture prompted Whitebeard to mobilize his fleet. Sengoku rejected releasing him and instead prepared a public execution at Marineford; Garp escorted Teach out of Impel Down ahead of the battle 134 135 144.

Rescue Operation and Mass Breakout

Using Shakky's detailed security intelligence, Benn Beckman, Sambel, and Sical approached underwater and breached a patrol blind spot on Level 5. They subdued Hannyabal and accompanying jailers, took their keys, and descended to Level 6 144 145 146 150.

Hannyabal feigned unconsciousness and bit through his own tongue, causing his Vivre Card to burn and warn Magellan. Beckman nevertheless freed Shanks, then secretly returned to release Crocodile and Doflamingo in exchange for help at Marineford 150 152 154.

Doflamingo betrayed that arrangement and released all the Level 6 prisoners. Magellan poisoned most rioters attempting to escape through the other levels, while Shiryu carried out a further massacre. Doflamingo's body could not be found, indicating his escape 154 155.

Leadership Change and Aftermath

The former Chief Warden accepted sole responsibility for the disaster and resigned following the Five Elders' anger. Magellan succeeded him and sent Marine Headquarters intelligence on the escaped Level 6 criminals 155 160.

Sengoku ordered wanted posters circulated and reinforcements requested whenever the fugitives were sighted. The World Government emphasized secrecy, leaving pursuit to the Marines while concealing the scale of the escape. These powerful, experienced fugitives continued to occupy Marine forces long after the war 160 161 185 245.

Notable Prisoners