The nevernever & a maximum security prison... what's on the other side?

[Sjappo]

Depends on what you want. Do you want them to be able to go through te NeverNever? Then don't put an even-more-maximum-security-prison there. Make it a place of dispair. Hate-feading fay spring to mind. Some sort of grey wasteland is appropriate as well. Lots of good ideas have been posted.

If you want to show them that the NN is not always an option go for the prison. Make them glad they escaped back into a normal prison when they leave the NN.

In my opinion it really depends on what you want out of the story.

My own cool idea let all max-security prisons in the world have the same portion of the NeverNever as neighbor. You can get from the prison into the NN but when you exit you are in an other prison somewhere else entirely. One or more demons may have taken up residence allowing you to deal with them for your freedom.

[Richard_Chilton]

Another way of looking at it:
What things are on the other side?

Entering the Nevernever by the third machine in the laundry room might take to a difference spot than crossing in the kitchen.  A cell where that prison poet spend 40 years might open to a different spot than the one where a rapist serves out his time.  The exercise yard, the dining area, the cell block that riots every 4 - 6 years, the main guard station - each of them might open up to different areas.

There's inspiration for that in Changes where they are taking way after way - walking seven steps here, going to that spot of the pyramid there, etc.

Which means they could find a Way that leads the crew breaking out the guy to the laundry room and then have to find the guy and return with him to the laundry room - or face exploring another Way.

Richard