I have stayed in four different ones. What folks have said is basically what I experienced in each one. Yes, when you are in a "locked ward," you are constantly being watched and can't leave within a certain period of time, even if you sign yourself in. It sort of was like a prison that way (although I've never been in one of those!)

They try to keep you busy. We were never required to participate in anything, but were always told if we didn't, then that would not be looked upon favorably and we would need to stay longer.

Now smoking is not allowed in most places. Used to be there would be times where people were allowed smoking breaks in certain areas of the hospital.

There were wall phones in the hall and people could call out--or receive calls from an approved list of folks who had to have a certain code. Phone calls were expected to be short, though, and the phones were turned off when activities were being held.

All places I was in had a TV, but the programming was monitored, and, again, it couldn't be watched when hospital activities were taking place.

Psychiatrists would check in twice a day, except on the weekends. Weekends were boring, because none of the regular activities took place. Some had church events on Sundays, and others didn't.

Each weekday morning a team of nurses and doctors would meet and discuss each patient!

If you caused trouble or were seen as a danger, then you might be assigned a nurse or aide who would literally follow you all day, even into the restroom.