What does "sent to the hole" mean in prison, how long for?
When you get sent to "hole" in prison what does that mean and how long do they usually keep you there? My loved one got sent yesterday.
Brittany Holstein
The "hole", also known as the SHU (special housing unit) is prison inside prison.
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The "hole", also known as the SHU (special housing unit) is prison inside prison. The inmate is in a one or two man cell with zero access to the outside world except for two one-hour exercise periods where you are in a cage outside. It is strict, high security with 24/7 monitoring. Inamtes get three square meals per day and three showers per week, one 15-minute phone call per week and a very abbreviated commissary list. It is not the place that any inmate wants to find themselves.
https://www.inmateaid.com/ask-the-inmate/what-does-sent-to-the-hole-mean-in-prison-how-long-for#answer
Accepted Answer Date Created: May 27,2016
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This response was prepared by InmateAid’s editorial team in consultation with former inmates who have direct experience with the federal correctional system. InmateAid has served families of the incarcerated since 2012. This is general information only — not legal advice.
Last reviewed April 2026.