Several smaller (but interconnected) workshops are better than one large one.

Two 4 hour work shifts broken up by a couple of hours of free time is much better for prisoner morale than one 7 or 8 hour shift, and the financial losses are fairly minimal. You lose a little efficiency-depending on the layout of your prison, it can take as much as 30 in game minutes for prisoners to get to the workshop and begin work-but your prisoners are much happier for it. Prisoners can later be replaced by janitors to keep the prison clean if you prefer, but these can be researched later. Ensure that laundry rooms and cleaning cupboards are installed and staffed as soon as Prison Labour is available.

Dirty uniforms and surroundings do not make prisoners happy, and will result in serious complaints.

Once you have researched Prison Labour, convert some of this free time into work, but still ensure that there is sufficient free time available for prisoners to attend to their other needs.

It is the only chance you have of making a prison profitable, and riot free. Research Prison Labour as soon as possible.

Prisoners also do not attempt to tunnel out of holding cells, so use this to your advantage early until you are ready to tackle potential prisoner escapes.

Holding cells can easily be torn down and the space converted into standard cells later (where you will already have beds for them). As long as there are beds, TVs and phones, prisoners will happily remain in a holding cell for several days or weeks, allowing you to work on other things like laundry and workshops as an initial priority.

Do not rush to build individual cells for prisoners, (except possibly getting your capacity up to 15, to receive the $10,000 grant completion bonus).

Ensure that there is one guard stationed in each holding cell to avoid prisoners getting locked in for extended periods of time.

Holding cell doors close even during the day (when regular cell doors remain open).

One bench is sufficient regardless of prisoner numbers, as they will be much more inclined to use benches in the canteen, yard or other areas during their free time.

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.

Prison architect cell block layout heat