What should inmates do following booking and before housing assignments?

Following booking, it is important for inmates to be showered before housing assignments. This procedure serves various purposes: first, it helps maintain hygiene and sanitation, both for the individual inmate and for the overall environment within the facility. Inmates often come in contact with substances from outside the facility that may pose health risks, and a shower can mitigate this issue.

Additionally, providing the opportunity for inmates to shower can aid in the transition to incarceration, offering a chance to physically refresh and mentally prepare for the changes they will face. While addressing medical issues and psychological evaluations are crucial processes, they typically follow the initial booking and hygiene protocols. Thus, focusing on hygiene through showering is a standard and essential step before other evaluations and housing assignments take place.