One, two, three, four...this is what you have in store

From a letter 7 March 2011

From the FDC SeaTac Inmate Orientation handbook:

"Official counts are scheduled to ensure accountability of all inmates committed to the facility. During the course of the day, Monday through Friday, there are five official counts. The counts are as follows: 12:01 am, 3:00 am, 5:00 am, 4:00 pm, and 10:00 pm. In addition, a 10:00 am count is conducted on weekends and federal holidays. The 4:00 pm and 10:00 am counts are standing counts. You must stand, no exceptions. If staff are conducting a picture count you will be required to state your name and register number to the requesting staff. It is your responsibility to be ready for the count when the time nears. The Unit Officer will announce, "COUNT TIME" when it is time to count and you are expected to:

1. STOP doing what you are doing and go to your assigned cell or area;
2. Remain silent during the count;
3. Remain in your cell until the officer has announced that the count is clear.

The count is very important to the security of the institution. Should you delay or disrupt the count in any way, you will be subject to disciplinary action. Staff have been instructed to only count a body when they see skin. Therefore to avoid disruptions to your sleep ensure that you expose some appropriate portion of your body during count. When there is an announcement for lock down in the unit you are to go to your cell without delay and stay in your cell until further notice."