Prison Slang 101: Common Words & Meanings - Yahoo
An Informal Guide
Jennifer Waite, Yahoo! Contributor March 12, 2009
If you've ever sat through an episode of Dateline where suspects are being interrogated, you have undoubtedly noticed some who are obviously not strangers to the system just judging by the way they speak. Perhaps when you watch a documentary on the American prison system, you can overhear inmate's conversations in the background, but don't understand what you're hearing.
In this piece, we will examine several common words in the inmate lexicon in American prisons (especially as pertains to the Southwest), as well as their meanings and usage. In my time working as a civilian contractor within the Arizona Department of Corrections, I encountered many new terms. Some words and terms are more regional than others (perhaps Spanish slang is used more widely in areas near the Mexican border, and would not be as relevant in the Mid-West.).
However, it is important to point out that all nationalities are scattered throughout prisons in the US, and while some areas have higher concentrations of certain ethnic groups, there are, sadly, representatives of most 'major' races within all US prisons.) Here are several I personally observed being used, that I learned the meanings for, and that along with other staff, I myself have often used.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many variations to some of these terms. Some words are more commonly used by different groups, and so forth. Enjoy:
Kite: Small note or letter, used to convey potentially sensitive information or instructions for one person from another.
Wela: Spanish term for "kite"
Weto/Weta: Slang used primarily by Mexicans to describe light-skinned, light-haired people, whether Mexicans, or Caucasians. This term is actually a misproununciation of the Spanish word "guero" (or guera), meaning the same thing.
Hustle: A person's means of making money within the prison, either legal or illegal. (Usually illegal.)
Lame: An inmate who other inmates feel cannot be trusted; a potential liability for any business deals.
Chomo: A child molester. Considered the lowest-rank on the inmate Totem pole. This person is usually housed on, and restricted to, a P.C. yard (see below), with other sensitive needs inmates.
Gen Pop: General population housing. This may be in the form of two-man cells, or dormitory style, complete with bunk beds Inmates who are housed here are not deemed any more of a security threat than any other average inmate.
P.C.: Protective Custody. This refers to a secure area within a prison complex where inmates who are deemed significant security risks can be housed and accommodated without disrupting entire General Population yards.
Cheeto: Term for a gay male inmate, and/or male inmate who appears to be transsexual. This person is voluntarily interested in other men and/or presenting as a female themselves. This individual may have to occasionally fight to prove himself, but is generally accepted.
Flaca/Flaco: This is simply Spanish for the word 'thin'.
Punk: Term for a man who performs homosexual acts either for profit, or because he is forced to do so. This person faces considerably more threats against his personal safety than a Cheeto, mainly due to a lack of respect.
The Safe or The Trunk: A person's rear end. The body cavity located just behind a person can be used to store all sorts of neat, illegal stuff. If, however, an inmate is suspected of having placed a deposit in the safe, he will be escorted over to Medical, where brave R.N.'s will, er, get to the bottom of things.
Keister: Term used to describe the act of, um, making a deposit in the safe. Also can be used: "keistering", or "to have keistered".
Cops or Pigs: Slang term for Correctional Officers.
"I ain't in here for tellin'..." : a common inmate response when asked a question about the activites of another person or group (usually other inmates), to signify their unwillingness to 'snitch' someone out.
Store: Inmate commissary items that they may purchase with the money on their books, which is deposited by family members on the outside, or earned by the inmate while working in the prison.
Running Game: The act of trying to manipulate and 'play' a staff member, or another inmate, usually for sexual or monetary reasons. Attempts are routinely made to 'game' new fish (unindoctrinated, fresh staff and inmates).
Running Drag: Term used for a bunch of nonsense, or a pack of lies. For example, if an inmate told you that the prison was going to start offering the Playboy channel next month, you could deduce that this person was merely 'running drag', either because of misinformation or because he wanted to stir up some commotion or excitement due to boredom.
Snitch: Perhaps the most well-known term next to 'shank' (c'mon, people), 'snitch' refers to a person who talks to the cops, and potentially tells them about the misdeeds of those around him. This is what is known as 'running your mouth (or neck)', and if you do it, you will quickly discover the definition for the word 'shank'. Either that, or end up on a P.C. yard.
There is but a sampling of common prison terms (common, at least, within the AZ State prison system) for you to mull over the next time you're watching MSNBC and the prison doc block comes on. I can speak from experience when I tell you it’s a whole other world in there, and there is an entire language based around the inmates' needs for privacy. There are codes, symbols, and combinations of words used to convey something entirely different than their apparent meaning.
But honestly, this is perhaps as far as I want to go in revealing any 'classified' information; I don't want to get branded a snitch!
Prison Slang 102: More Lessons on the Inmate Lexicon
Jennifer Waite, Yahoo! Contributor Network Mar 23, 2009
After working within the AZ State Prison system, and having being exposed to several new and strange expressions in this way, I decided to compile some interesting terms and phrases for you. In the last installment of Prison Slang, I covered basic terms for over a dozen different words, including places within the prison (G.P., P.C., etc.), various ways to describe people (Chomos, Cheetos, and lames), and many other examples of common prison verbiage.
Here, we will examine twenty more words and sayings commonly used inside the prisons of the Southwest, however not typically encountered "on the streets". In fact, let's start exactly there...
The Streets, or The Outs: Term used by inmates to describe the free world.
The Gate: Meaning the entrance/exit of the facility. If someone says they are "short to the gate", for example, they would be telling you of a release date in the near future.
The House: If an inmate left his "rollies" back at the "house", this means he left them in his cell or dorm.
Rollies: Term used for hand-rolled cigarettes, favored and smoked almost exclusively by inmates due to high cost of commercially-rolled cigarettes from major brands.
Your Number: This refers to your Department of Corrections Inmate number. In Arizona, it is called an ADC number, and is comprised of six-digits.
Killing Your Number: Exiting the system. If an inmate has finished their full sentence while in prison, and will have no community supervision in the form of parole, he is said to have "killed his number".
The Yard: The recreation area provided to inmates. This is where many business deals are conducted and information is gathered. Weapons are often pre-made, and hidden in communal areas like the rec yard in case possession of one becomes necessary. "The Yard" can also refer to the grounds of the unit as a whole.
Chow: Meal time, or the food itself.
D.A.: Dining area where inmates gather to eat. If an inmate is on L.O.P status, he may have to take meals in his cell.
L.O.P: Loss of Privileges. Administered as a disciplinary measure by D.O.C, being put on L.O.P can mean having property taken away for awhile (TV's, radios, books), movement restrictions (like going to Rec or chow), or even loss of an inmate's job within the prison.
Chrono: A small slip of paper to be carried by an inmate, generated by prison staff, to outline approved movements and programs. For example, a chrono might list the days and times an inmate is to report to work, or attend education programs. Chronos are also used to excuse an inmate from certain activities, such as work, to attend religious services.
The Cages, or Dog Pens: Individual 'cells' of chain-link and steel bars are often used to keep an out-of-control inmate isolated during outbursts. These cages are also used to separate inmates immediately following fights, or to segregate an inmate for any number of reasons. Inmates are typically not legally permitted to be left in 'the cages' for more than a few hours, and must be provided with access to water, and fed at meal times.
Cell Warrior: This term is used to describe an inmate who is loud, aggressive, and boldly confident while locked in his cell, or in "the cages", but has nothing to back it up once opportunity presents itself. For example, an inmate who shouts threats and insults to guards while locked down, but offers no resistance later is a 'cell warrior', and also considered a 'lame' by other inmates. He may even have to roll up because of it.
Roll Up, or PC Up: To voluntarily seek protective custody from prison officials, and leave a General Population (G.P.) yard. Reasons an inmate might roll up include drug debts, admitting to and renouncing of gang affiliations, fear of retaliation from having snitched someone out, and various others.
Fire: A lighter, usually prohibited and deemed contraband. If an inmate is overheard saying "Yeah, I got fire at the house...", a Corrections Officer may 'shake down' the cell block later in hopes of finding that and other contraband..
Shake Down: Searches for contraband, conducted regularly and randomly.
Nuisance contraband: Pornography (where prohibited), excess property (more clothing than allowed, etc.), inappropriate or unapproved artwork or hobby craft materials, etc. Nuisance contraband are prohibited items that generally pose little threat, but still require use of resources to enforce the prohibition.
Dangerous Contraband: Anything of weapons-grade material (plastic, metal, glass, etc) that could be used to make a slashing tool or knife, or other weapon. Any item deemed capable of harming staff or other inmates. Lighters, for example, are considered dangerous contraband.
Escape Paraphernalia: Term used to describe prohibited items that could potentially assist in the flight of an inmate form custody. Paper money, as well as coins, are considered escape paraphernalia. So are 'street clothes', or any clothing not specifically approved and designated for inmate's use within the prison. Of course, any tools, written plans, or evidence of past attempts would also be escape paraphernalia.
13 1/2: A popular tattoo and saying behind bars. The numbers are said to represent 12 jurors, one judge, and half a chance. There are other variations on this meaning, but the above definition is quite common.
Prison Slang 103: Prison Life
Jennifer
Waite, Yahoo!
Contributor Network
May 21, 2009
Since I've had such a positive reaction to my Prison Slang series, I am presenting the third installment here. For the uninitiated, I used to work at an Arizona State Prison Complex, and in doing so encountered some interesting variances on the English language.
Here are several more terms and phrases you may have never heard before, but are used quite regularly throughout the prison I worked in, as well as many prisons in America.
Some terms will refer to institutional activities or issues, and are regularly used by both inmates and correctional staff. Some prison slang is meant purely for inmate ears, but if you pay attention long enough, you really can't help but figure it out.
Count: This is the term used to describe the several-times-daily routine of closing the yard (stopping any non-essential inmate movement) and conducting cell checks and other measures to ensure the whereabouts of each individual inmate within the institution. This process can take up to thirty minutes or more within a single unit, and up to an hour for an entire complex. When count is "cleared", the process has been successfully completed and all inmates are accounted for. The yard can return to normal operations.
Face-to-ID Check: When an inmate holds his Department of Corrections-issued ID card, with photograph, up to his face in his cell window, or in a line-up, in order for a Correctional Officer to verify an inmate's identity. This is sometimes used during regular count, but more often used in Special or Emergency Count, when a higher standard of protocol is employed.
U.A.: Urine analysis. This term is used by Correctional staff and inmates to describe mandatory and often random drug testing inmates are subject to during their stay. A dirty U.A. would be one that showed drug use. Example: "Man, I just got U.A.'d, and I know it's gonna come back dirty."
(to get) Jammed Up: A phrase meaning to be questioned or interrogated by a member of Correctional staff. Example: "The Sergeant just jammed me up on the Rec field about that fight over in B-Pod, but I didn't tell him anything..."
Dry Snitching: To implicate or 'tell' on someone without necessarily meaning to. Also, to give some information to the 'cops', but coming shy of naming names, in a situation where it would be easy to fill in the gaps based off the Dry Snitch's information.
Shine (Shine Status): To be put on 'shine status' or to get "shined on" refers to getting the cold shoulder based off a perceived injustice to the 'shiner' from the 'shinee'. Example: "James didn't pay me that $50 he owes me from poker yet; I trust him but he's on shine till he pays."
Head: Refers to the head of the yard in terms of prison gangs and races. The head is the inmate in charge of all other inmates in his 'clique', and things are often comprised in an almost militarized system, complete with a chain of command. The heads are the Generals.
Check, or (getting) Checked: This term refers to a lower-level inmate or rival inmate who is essentially put in his place for an internal wrong-doing by the more aggressive inmate. If a member of one race does business with a member of another race without permission from the Head of his own race, he will probably get 'checked'. It is similar to a slap on the wrist by s superior in the real world, but usually equals a few hits in the gut or even face, as well as a stern talking to. Example: "Evan's a good kid, but he forgot the rules...I had to check him."
Celly: Simply an informal way of referring to an inmate's cell-mate. Juveniles may use the term "roommate".
Rig: An illegal tattoo gun. Also, can refer to a syringe set-up to do heroin. Both types of 'rigs' are considered serious contraband, and possession of either is subject to disciplinary tickets, hearings and loss of privileges.
(to be put on) Restriction: This phrase refers to an inmate essentially being 'grounded' by senior-ranking inmates within their circle. For example, if an inmate does something to upset the leaders in his gang or racial grouping, he may be checked first, and placed on restriction as follow-up punishment. An inmate on restriction may not be allowed to gamble, drink, socialize or engage in other activities. The inmate will probably still be allowed to go to Chow and Rec; in fact, these things are virtually mandatory on a Gen Pop yard, as there is safety in numbers, and all members play their role.
Rec & the Rec field: The inmates get time each week to group together and socialize on the Rec field. This is an area saturated with criminality: drug deals, sexual activity, gambling, fights (and rarely murders) take place at Rec, often right under the watch of the Correctional staff. Many Rec yards will have a stash of various groups' weapons, placed carefully and buried throughout the area dominated by the group that hid them. The inmates usually self-segregate according to race, with each group claiming an area within the area. There are rules.
Convict Vs Inmate
(contextually, among inmates; not pertaining to or governing the way staff
addresses inmates.):
An understanding in prison that there are two types of men: convicts, and
inmates. Convicts are hardened, and wiser to both prison policy and
prison life. They don't typically start fights they're apt to lose, and they
generally play by the institution's rules (at least on the surface). These are
cunning individuals that know the system, and typically allow other, fresher
inmates to do their dirty work. 'Cons' are usually respected more by other
inmates, and often by Corrections staff, as well, because they themselves are
granted a certain level of respect and understanding.
Inmates, however, are typically a younger, more impulsive group that are not yet to be trusted by institution staff or other true convicts. This person is very low-level, if he has any standing at all within the racial grouping. An 'inmate' that hasn't proven himself may be conditioned by an older 'con'; taken under his wing, so to speak. This may or may not be a good thing, as the relationship can easily turn predatory. In other cases, the 'youngster' learns to act a bit more thoughtfully due to this warped tutelage. It all depends on the individuals involved. For a more in depth look at this issue, click here.
Fish: Term used to describe new staff and inmates alike. Also, 'fresh meat' or 'duck'. Used to describe naive person or easy target for mind games and manipulation.
Pods: Specific housing units within a prison unit, usually numbered, lettered, or given names. The areas where the inmates actually live are also commonly referred to as 'dorms', 'tiers', 'racks', or 'the house'.