Prison & Inmate Expressions: English Vocabulary List

a punishment requiring an inmate to stay in their bunk except for bathroom use or meals

"The inmate got a bunk restriction."

"Bunk restriction kept him confined to his cell except for meals and bathroom breaks."

an inmate who tries to intimidate or upset others but avoids actual fighting

"The bunk warrior never left his bed."

"The bunk warrior talked tough in the cell but became quiet when moved to general population."

a separate, isolated unit in prison with reduced privileges

"He spent a week in the hole."

"The prisoner spent two weeks in the hole after fighting with another inmate over a phone call."

a correctional officer, visitor, or prison employee considered attractive by inmates because of limited contact with others

"The inmates liked institutional 9."

"The prisoners would often try to get the attention of the new guard, an institutional 9, during recreation time."

an inmate who provides legal advice, often unqualified, or represents themselves in legal matters

"The jailhouse lawyer gave bad advice."

"The jailhouse lawyer helped other inmates file appeals using his self taught knowledge of legal procedures."

lawful confinement or close supervision to protect a person from harm

"He requested protective custody for safety."

"The former police officer was placed in protective custody to keep him safe from other inmates."

solitary confinement in prison

"He went to seg."

"After the incident, the inmate was immediately transferred to seg for his own safety and to prevent further disruption."

an improvised stabbing weapon, typically homemade from available materials

"He made a shiv from a toothbrush."

"The inmate fashioned a shiv from a sharpened toothbrush and hidden it in his mattress."

to plead guilty to a lesser criminal charge than originally charged

"The lawyer advised him to cop a plea."

"The accused criminal decided to cop a plea and confess in exchange for a lighter sentence from the judge."

mentally restless or unbalanced due to prolonged confinement

"I feel stir-crazy."

"After being stuck inside for three days due to the snowstorm she started to feel stir crazy."

to serve a prison sentence, typically as a punishment for a crime or offense

"He did time in prison for five years."

"The convicted criminal had to do time in prison for ten years before he was released."

(legal) exhausted all avenues for appeal

"His appeal is burned."

"After multiple failed attempts, his legal options were burned, leaving him with no further recourse."

(prison) a Native American inmate

"He is the chief."

"The elder Native American inmate, known as the chief, mediated disputes within the prison population."

(prison) inmate-administered corporal punishment

"That was chit-chat."

"The new inmate quickly learned that refusing to participate in chit-chat could lead to severe consequences."

(in the plural) standard denominational currency in prison, often referring to $1 commissary snacks

"I need some items."

"He traded several valuable items from the commissary for a pack of cigarettes."

a prisoner's central file containing records and personal information

"The jacket held his records."

"The inmate's jacket contained a detailed history of his offenses and rehabilitation efforts."

(in the plural) a symbol of authority or control within a prison pod or gang

"He had the keys."

"With the keys to the cell block, he wielded significant power within the prison hierarchy."

an improvised stabbing weapon, often made from everyday items

"He made a shank."

"The prisoner fashioned a crude shank from a sharpened toothbrush handle."

unappetizing and poorly prepared food, often in a liquid or semi-liquid form

"Don't feed them slop."

"The cook was criticized for serving watery slop instead of a proper meal."

a shared improvised meal made from commissary items

"They shared a spread."

"The group pooled their commissary items to create an elaborate spread for the holiday meal."