These establishments are by there very nature quite tough, being category "b" at least, on a scale of "d" being open to "a", being for hard bastards, or the mentally unbalanced, which ever hat you care to wear.

These prisons hold prisoners on remand, awaiting their first court case or awaiting sentencing. They also house people just sentenced and overflow inmates waiting for a more permanent cell, "pad" in prison slang.

The length of time and the duration of your stay is virtually out of the prison officers hands, however it is here you will learn about prison life. You receive your first assessment and grading here, depending on how the officers here perceive your ability to conform, adjust, reoffend, go on courses to correct your behaviour and finally your possible risk of escape.

All these risk factors will be put in the melting pot, in essence it is not of any use putting you on a course if you are not willing to do it.
However, if you have to rely on parole to get time off your sentence, it is in your interest to do the courses. If you are innocent of any wrongdoing, do not do the courses, as this will be an admission of guilt, in part this could be used later against your appeal case. You do not need to do a course in order to reduce your sentence and they can no longer make this count against you.

Some inmates I was with complained at every opportunity, they went to a prison 300 miles away from their homes. So be as part of the walls and never give anyone cause to notice you. Do not give in to the threat of longer inside; if you do not admit you were guilty. For to give in would not make any difference to you, other than to reduce your life beyond prison to a complete turmoil, worse than it would be if you held on to the moral high ground.

Always remember the people who "work within the system" have to believe in it! Pilots have to believe their planes are able to defy gravity, or they would never fly! The system within your first prison is sounding you out, so remember, never step out of line and never retaliate, well at least while a screw is watching! Cover your fellow prisoners and never ever "grass", this and stealing other inmates property are the two things most likely to cause your loss of some part of your anatomical region or you may find yourself having to become very friendly with the local gay gorilla, although this may be of interest to some!

The length of your stay will depend on the prison officers report, you will be asked to attend a small and quick meeting, to confirm the various facts and figures they have about you. A holding prison is just that, the next prison will be better and probably more efficient too.