Ensure that there is one bed per prisoner in a holding cell, one phone and TV to every 3-5 prisoners and one toilet to every 10 or so prisoners sharing the cell.Without them, prisoners' sleep, family and recreation needs will spiral out of control before you know it, and riots will ensue. They are not requirements, but will keep your prisoners much more happy early on. Put beds, TVs and phones in the holding cell.Holding cells are much cheaper than individual cells, and can allow you to raise your prisoner numbers (and therefore daily income) quickly.
