One mandatory daily ritual behind bars is the count, the first of which occurs just as prisoners are waking up. In some units, there is another count just after breakfast, when they are required to return to their cells. As the name implies, the count is when prison security counts the collective inmates to ensure every prisoner is accounted for and their cells are in order. According to Jerry Metcalf, a typical call over the prison public address system will give breakfasting prisoners a five-minute warning before the count is due to take place, before adding: “Be on your bunks and be visible! I repeat, be on your bunks and be visible for 11:30 count or you will get a ticket!”
The length of time a count can take varies, depending on the unit, the number of inmates and staff, and any issues that may arise during the course of the inspection, and prisoners can find themselves waiting in their bunks for an interminable amount of time as the prison officers inspect each prisoner. However, in prisons such as Metcalf’s, prisoners are allowed to perform tasks from their bunk while the count takes place, such as sending emails.
There may be other counts throughout the course of the day, depending on the needs of the unit in question. Some prisons will have a minimum of two counts a day, first thing in the morning and last thing at night, though others may have more, with extra counts in case of emergencies or security issues.
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