Windows

The windows in the dorms are mostly opaque.  If the windows are open during warm weather, you may catch a glimpse of blue sky, but for the most part, you can't see outside.

Take note: 99% of the time, you can't see outside.  You can't see a tree, whether fall, winter, spring, or summer.  Therefore every glance of outdoors you encounter is a gift to enjoy.  

In areas outside your dorm, such as hallways and Medical, the windows are clear glass.  Any trip outside your cell provides the precious gift of seeing a bit of the outside world.  If you're sent to Medical and they park you in a holding cell with windows, take advantage of this, and keep your eyes glued to the outside, instead of watching TV all the time.

If it's cold outside, the windows in your dorm will be closed -- the guard carries a hand crank to open or close the windows.  It gets pretty close in the dorm with the windows shut, so someone will ask to crack open a window. Here's a tip: if you are sleeping on the floor during winter, be sure to have the guard close the window at night. Otherwise you will freeze.