The chapter begins with Conover and other officers looking for inmates with knife cuts on B-block. A rivalry between the Latin Kings and the Bloods has resulted in multiple retaliatory incidents amongst inmates, and the officers believe that an inmate may have recently escaped from a brawl undetected. By the end of the inspection, Conover sees that many of the inmates have scars, but no new wounds.

During a lockdown on B-block, Conover is partnered to work with Officer Bella, who had flunked first-aid during training but eventually passed the exam. Bella, from the Bronx, had had problems in a New Jersey youth detention facility, where inmates had escaped during his watch. He was exonerated when two other employees did not show up for work. Bella is eager to be transferred to the calmer Bedford Hills institution, in order to get away from some of the senior officers at Sing Sing. Bella is enthusiastic during the feeding and cleaning duties, while the inmates are locked in their cells, which amuses Conover.

Conover compares A-block to B-block. In A-block, officers have to navigate Sergeant Wickersham and longer galleries. The lock system, though modernized, is not dependable. There are also more white officers in comparison to B-block.