[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"stats-overview":3,"kb-article-what-is-my-cell-like-in-prison":10},{"officers":4,"forces":5,"courts":6,"prisons":7,"hearings":8,"legals":9},769,50,224,120,41,11437,{"id":11,"slug":12,"name":13,"content":14,"category_id":15,"source":16,"source_url":16,"source_ref":16,"licence":16,"sort_order":17,"published":18,"created_at":19,"updated_at":20,"category":21,"category_icon":22,"category_slug":23,"excerpt":24,"word_count":25,"reading_time":26,"is_official":27,"related":28,"previous":51,"next":16},"12","what-is-my-cell-like-in-prison","What a prison cell is like","Cells vary a lot between prisons, and between Victorian local prisons and modern builds, but the basics are similar across England and Wales.\n\nThe room\n\nA typical cell is roughly the size of a small bathroom, around 6 to 8 square metres. It was usually designed for one person; because of overcrowding, many hold two, with a bunk bed. You can expect:\n\n- A bed with a thin mattress, pillow and bedding.\n- A toilet, usually in a corner. In shared cells it is normally screened by a low wall or a curtain rather than a door. In Victorian prisons the toilet was retrofitted and privacy is minimal.\n- A small sink with cold water, and in newer cells hot water too.\n- A desk or shelf, a chair or stool, and a locker or cupboard.\n- A window with bars; in most cells the window opens only a few centimetres or has a vent, so ventilation and temperature are a constant complaint in summer.\n- A cell bell to call staff, and an observation panel in the door.\n- A kettle in most prisons, and a TV if you are on standard or enhanced level of the incentives scheme (a small weekly charge applies).\n- In many newer or refurbished prisons, an in-cell phone for calls to approved numbers, and sometimes a laptop or kiosk for applications and messaging.\n\nSharing\n\nIf you share, you will be risk-assessed to make sure you are not placed with someone who poses a danger to you. If you are placed with someone you have a genuine reason to fear, tell an officer at once. Smoking is banned in all prisons in England and Wales; vapes can be bought from the canteen.\n\nTime in the cell\n\nHow long you spend locked up depends on the prison's regime and staffing. In a well-run training prison you may be out most of the day for work, education and association. In a struggling local prison it is not unusual to be locked up for 22 hours a day, particularly at weekends. The Inspectorate of Prisons report for each prison will tell you what to expect.\n\nMaking it bearable\n\nYou can have a limited amount of personal property: photos, books, a radio, writing materials, and clothing if permitted. Keep the cell clean (cleaning materials are provided), get on a work or education list as soon as you can, and use association time. If a cell is in an unacceptable state (broken toilet, no heating, infestation), report it to your personal officer and if nothing happens, put in a complaint and write to the Independent Monitoring Board.","7",null,0,true,"2022-04-14T08:02:23.000Z","2026-10-06T09:14:18.000Z","Prison","mdi:office-building","prison","Cells vary a lot between prisons, and between Victorian local prisons and modern builds, but the basics are similar across England and Wales. The room A…",438,3,false,[29,36,42],{"id":30,"slug":31,"name":32,"source":16,"source_url":16,"sort_order":17,"category":21,"category_icon":22,"category_slug":23,"excerpt":33,"word_count":34,"reading_time":35,"is_official":27},"14","im-going-to-prison-what-to-expect","Going to prison: what to expect in your first days","Whether you are expecting a custodial sentence or have been remanded, the first few days are the hardest. Knowing the routine helps. Reception From court you…",732,4,{"id":37,"slug":38,"name":39,"source":16,"source_url":16,"sort_order":17,"category":21,"category_icon":22,"category_slug":23,"excerpt":40,"word_count":41,"reading_time":35,"is_official":27},"13","security-is-it-safe","Safety in prison: who to turn to and how to stay safe","Prisons are not safe in the way the outside world is. Assaults, self-harm and deaths in custody all happen, and the risk varies enormously between…",617,{"id":43,"slug":44,"name":45,"source":16,"source_url":16,"sort_order":17,"category":46,"category_icon":47,"category_slug":48,"excerpt":49,"word_count":50,"reading_time":26,"is_official":27},"5","what-is-the-cell-like-at-the-custody-suite","What a police custody cell is like","Custody","mdi:handcuffs","custody","Being locked in a police cell is unpleasant and, for most people, frightening. Knowing what to expect takes some of the fear out of it. The cell A custody…",538,{"slug":38,"name":39}]