Dungeons & Dragons is routinely banned in state and federal prisons across the United States because wardens actually believe the game promotes gang activity and facilitates complex escape plans.

A closer look

Dungeons & Dragons is routinely banned in state and federal prisons across the United States because wardens actually believe the game promotes gang activity and facilitates complex escape plans. Prison officials argue that the role-playing mechanics, which require players to assume leadership roles, follow strict hierarchies, and map out fantasy dungeons, are a direct threat to institutional security. They are genuinely terrified that inmates will use the game's miniature figurines and grid maps to secretly simulate the layout of the prison, despite the fact that a standard penitentiary rarely contains roving bands of gelatinous cubes or fire-breathing dragons. The reality is that banning a bunch of grown adults from pretending to be magical elves doing fake math just forces them to find significantly more dangerous ways to actually pass the time behind bars