In prison, words and phrases can have a very different meaning to those attributed in the free-world. If you have a friend or relative in jail or prison, the term "shakedown" is one you may hear used regularly and may be wondering what it means. Often, the inmate will forget that it is not a free-world term and may be vague with their explanation. They may even use other prison terms to describe it, which could leave you with more questions than answers. While prisons and jails have different rules and regulations covering many things, a shakedown is one of the few terms that is consistent throughout most Correctional facilities.

Simply put, a shakedown is when a cell, or number of cells, or a whole prison or jail, is searched systematically by security staff. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common is to find contraband and weapons. Contraband is a catch-all term that means anything that an inmate is not permitted to have, and anything that may have been altered by the inmate from its originally issued state. This could include a pen that has had the inside ink section removed, too many photographs, home-made ear plugs and a range of other items.

Usually inmates have no warning of a shakedown. This would be counter-productive and give an opportunity to dispose of anything illegal. The first thing an inmate experiences when a shakedown is imminent is that the water to their cell or housing unit is turned off. This is to prevent contraband being flushed away.

The inmates are usually ordered to strip to their underwear and shower shoes (or "slides" as they are often called; these are plastic flip flops which must usually be worn in the showers). They are then moved from their cells and placed either in individual holding pens, or in communal areas such as a day room or a gymnasium. Occasionally the inmates will be ordered to pack up their own belongings and carry them to a neutral place to be inspected, while other officers then search the cells.

Once the inmates are securely away from their cells, a team of officers will proceed to search each cell or living area methodically and in great detail. They will inspect all belongings left in the cell, and all state property such as bedding, radios, walls. Anything that has been altered or is considered to be contraband is removed. Officers will search in any crevice, behind any ventilation grill, the inside of a toilet rim and any other place where an inmate could conceal a weapon or items that could be fashioned into a weapon.

Most items of contraband will simply be removed. Inmates are ingenious in adapting everyday items to fit a range of other purposes and most are not a serious security threat. The discovery of a serious contraband item such as drugs, money, tobacco, or a weapon is likely to lead to disciplinary charges being brought against the inmate.

Inmates do not like shakedowns. Even those who have no contraband and follow the rules can experience feelings of humiliation and persecution at having their meagre possessions thrown around like trash. Inmates have very little space for storage and often try to keep their possessions in a neat order. It can cause serious mental difficulties to have their letters and other items disarranged on a regular basis. Officers also do not like shakedowns, but they know that it is an integral part of their job and is intended to keep both officers and inmates safe.

Once the search is completed, inmates are permitted to return to their housing assignments if no contraband has been discovered.

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