I found this server that feels like the old prison days. It is not an OP prison so you do not start out super strong. You begin with basic tools and leather armor and you actually have to grind to get better gear.
You rank up by mining and doing the classic prison grind. The ranks go from A all the way up to Citizen and you can prestige for special rewards when you hit the top rank. You have to smelt your ores and then walk through pvp zones to sell them in the commissary so it feels risky and intense.
There are guards that protect new players and also enforce contraband rules. Swords and potions are illegal so if a guard sees you with them they will fight you. You can even get sent to solitary confinement by a guard if you have bad conduct.
There are some cool extra ways to make money like custom fishing and growing special illegal plants in your cell. You can rent a prison cell or a plot to store items build stuff grow illegal crops or make your own shop. There are quests for extra cash or special items and a bounty system if you want to put a price on someone and hunt players.
The server also has an auction house and parkour challenges around the prison. It is very focused on grinding pvp and that classic community prison feel where you actually have to work to reach parole and finally become a citizen.
