Warden Smith has heard about Warden Jones's plan
to deal with his prisoners. Read about that here.
Smith decides on a similar plan for his prisoners.
Being a creative man, he changes the rules slightly.
He informs his prisoners that tomorrow is their
day of reckoning.
They will be led into a courtyard and the warden will
place a black or a white hat on each or their heads.
No prisoner will see the color of his own hat, but
each will see the color of all 99 of the other hats.
Since Smith is a compassionate man; he decides to
give the prisoners 15 minutes, during which they
may ponder their fate, do mental arithmetic, decide
on their lucky color ... whatever. During this time
they must remain inside the courtyard.
They will not be permitted to speak to each other,
nod their heads, wink, clear their throats, tap their
toes, make any sound at all; you get the idea.
At the end of 15 minutes, they will be [edit: last
minute change in plan] taken individually into an
interrogation room, out of the hearing of the other
prisoners, and there be asked the color of
their hat. If a prisoner answers correctly he will
be set free; incorrectly, and he will be executed on
the spot.
The prisoners are meeting tonight to form a strategy.
They have called you to their meeting as an expert
logician to assist them.
If you give them the best possible advice, how many
of the prisoners can you guarantee will be freed?