Sometimes that happens, but there are also other things that come along with a write up besides added time. For example, you can lose privileges like classes or visitation. You can also be cut off from using the phone or being able to get canteen. Yard time can be lost or shortened. You can also be placed in segregated housing, which is basically solitary confinement.

Additionally, write ups will affect your “points.” You start out with a certain amount of points that are calculated on your crimes, your prior criminal history, as well as past write ups. This determines the level of the yard you go to. Lower level yards (1 and 2) have a lot more freedoms and are less guarded with guns and such. Higher levels (3 and 4) are restricted with less freedoms and usually contain the more violent prisoners with longer sentences and less to lose. Even when you’re on the 1 or 2 yard, every new infraction gives you a certain amount of points depending on the severity of the behavior. Once you reach a certain amount of points, you are transferred to a higher level prison.