Sunspot Prison, alternatively called Sunspot, functioned as a space-bound penal institution, overseen by the Alliance to Restore the Republic during the era of the Galactic Civil War. Its designation was quite literal, as the facility revolved around a star, serving as a holding location for the most dangerous Imperial detainees captured by the Alliance. In the year 0 ABY, the prison experienced a raid led by the disloyal rebel operative Eneb Ray, who sought to influence Princess Leia Organa towards a more severe approach to leadership. This assault by Ray resulted in numerous prisoner deaths and the subsequent shutdown of the installation. Later, in 4 ABY, Sunspot Prison saw use in the aftermath of the Battle of Endor.
Situated in sector I-18 of the Standard Galactic Grid within the Outer Rim Territories, Sunspot Prison derived its moniker from a proximate sun that constantly illuminated the orbital space station with intense heat and light. Throughout the Galactic Civil War, this detention center housed a variety of Imperial inmates, encompassing spies, mercenaries, individuals guilty of war crimes, and even a couple of Imperial Moffs. Its existence remained a closely guarded secret, unknown to the majority of Alliance members. A network of ion cannons protected the prison's front, while the sun served as a natural barrier behind it.
Sunspot Prison featured numerous cells equipped with metal bars, patrolled by armored rebel troopers. Additionally, the prison included a control hub capable of manipulating the station's sun shields. A sizable hangar bay, large enough to accommodate the Millennium Falcon, was also present. The command center also had an ion pulse that was capable of disrupting the station's power and gravity.
The Rebel Alliance established Sunspot Prison as a place to confine Imperial prisoners during the Galactic Civil War. By the time 0 ABY arrived, its population consisted of Imperial soldiers such as Kolar Ludd, along with spies, mercenaries, war criminals, and at least two Moffs.
Following her capture by Princess Leia Organa and Sana Starros during the battle of Vrogas Vas, Doctor Chelli Lona Aphra, a rogue archaeologist who had previously served Darth Vader, underwent extensive interrogation by the Rebel Alliance Intelligence Service for several weeks, yet provided no useful intelligence. She was subsequently transferred to Sunspot Prison. Shortly after the arrival of Organa, Starros, and Aphra, the facility was subjected to a raid by the rogue rebel agent Eneb Ray. After the unsuccessful Arrth-Eno Mission, Ray initiated a campaign focused on eliminating Imperial prisoners and pressuring Organa to adopt a more uncompromising leadership style.
After seizing control of the command center, Ray and his IG-RM bodyguard and enforcer droids carried out a massacre of numerous Imperial inmates, either by shooting them within their cells, exposing them to the sun by deactivating the sun shields, or ejecting them through the airlock. Ray's violent actions compelled Organa, Starros, and Aphra to collaborate in an effort to stop him.
Starros successfully transmitted a distress signal to the Alliance Fleet. Despite Ray's capture of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker as hostages and his psychological manipulation tactics, Organa, Starros, and Aphra, aided by C-3PO and R2-D2, managed to overpower him by triggering an ion pulse that disrupted the station's gravity. Although Ray's rampage resulted in the deaths of numerous Imperial prisoners, Organa's intervention saved a number of individuals who were subsequently evacuated. Aphra managed to escape with the silent approval of Organa and Starros. Despite his capture, Ray escaped custody and vowed revenge against Organa for rejecting him.
Following the Alliance's decision to close the facility, members of the Imperial Task Force 99 visited the prison in search of Kolar Ludd, after which they embarked on a mission to hunt down rebels. As a consequence of the attack, the Alliance was compelled to temporarily shut down the facility, establishing a temporary holding spot on Akiva.
Even after the Battle of Endor, the prison remained operational. Inferno Squad, having grown disillusioned with the Empire, feared imprisonment at Sunspot should they surrender to the Alliance.
Following the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War, the prison was still in use by the New Republic. Around 9 ABY, the Tusken Raider named Torbill Danzin was incarcerated at Sunspot Prison for attempting to abduct a New Republic senator, receiving a sentence of 25 years. Nilox Cabin-Roves was also an inmate at Sunspot Prison for forging New Republic credits, resulting in a 20-year sentence. The Mon Calamari criminal Ghosla Fular was incarcerated at Sunspot Prison for forging local currency, and was given a sentence of 30 years.
Sunspot Prison made its debut in the 2016 comic Star Wars (2015) 16, penned by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu.