Prisons are split into wings, which can be separate buildings connected by secure walkways, and each wing is often split further into spurs and landings. For reasons lost to history, the ground floor is called the “ones”, the first floor the “twos”, and the second floor the “threes”. Each wing has a central office where staff are based, plus smaller offices on each spur that are staffed around the clock. Movement between spurs on a wing is restricted, and the prison will try, as far as it can, to keep vulnerable prisoners separate from the main population, and to keep those staying off drugs away from those still using. It won’t, however, segregate prisoners by the nature of their offence (sex offenders aside), so you’ll find people with a wide range of criminal histories on your wing.
Cells, even in newer private prisons, are still mostly shared – some are dormitory-style rooms holding anywhere from 3 to 15 people, where privacy is limited.
Every prison also has areas set aside for the chapel and multi-faith room, the library, the visits hall, education classrooms, admin, healthcare, the gym, exercise yards, workshops, and the segregation unit (usually called the Block). As a prisoner you’ll move between these either under escort or during set “movement” periods, which tend to happen around the start and end of the working day.
More in this section:
| Cell Life | Getting things done |
| Phone and letters | Meals and Food |
| Drugs treatment | Personal clothing and equipment |
| Self Improvement | Learning to read |