The Nest of Maggots is surrounded by a moat. On the inside, it resembles a cave with an area for prisoners. When a Shinigami becomes a potential danger to other Shinigami and the Soul Society, that Shinigami is brought to the Maggot's Nest for imprisonment, regardless if they were put on trial; this is to ensure no danger will be brought to Soul Society. None of the prisoners are held inside a cell, since they cannot set foot outside the prison.
Neither the staff (called jailers) of the Detention Unit nor any other visitors are permitted to carry a Zanpakutō into the Maggot's Nest; visitors must deposit them at the entrance. This measure means that the jailers are required to be able to control the prisoners with bare hands. If a Shinigami desires to enter and is not adept at hand-to-hand combat, they may not enter. This is to prevent rebellions and escapes from the prison.
Currently the guards have abandoned their posts, replaced by several strong barriers of unique design. Only members of the Stealth Force or Kido Professionals would know how to disarm the barriers.
