Ad-seg
ShorthandAlso listed as: Administrative segregation
Administrative separation from general population; distinct from a disciplinary finding.
US; system terminology varies
HAB • WORDS PEOPLE USE
Understand the word. Understand the conversation.
Search slang, alternate spellings and everyday prison vocabulary. Meanings can change between facilities, regions and generations.
These explanations help you understand language, including some insults and references to violence. Labels are not proof about a person. Institutional terms describe vocabulary; local policies still determine procedures.
123 entries
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Backdoor parole
SlangDying while incarcerated.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryBeef
SlangAlso listed as: Beefing
A personal dispute or ongoing conflict.
US; one writer’s account
Bid
SlangA prison sentence.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryBirdbath
SlangWashing at a cell sink.
US; usage varies
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Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryBlanket party
SlangGroup assault involving a covered victim.
US; one writer’s account
Bones
SlangDominoes.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryBoneyard
SlangProtective-custody area.
Australia / New Zealand usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryBooks
SlangAn incarcerated person’s money account.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryBoot party
SlangGroup assault involving kicking.
US; one writer’s account
BOP
Institutional termAlso listed as: Bureau of Prisons
The federal prison agency.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyBunkie
SlangCellmate or neighboring bunkmate, depending on housing.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyCanteen
Institutional termThe institution’s shop for approved supplies and food.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCar
SlangA group sharing an affiliation, often geographic or racial.
US; one writer’s account
Case manager
Institutional termStaff member coordinating case monitoring and institutional needs.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCell extraction
Institutional termStaff removal of a person from a cell using force.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCellie
SlangAlso listed as: Celly
A cellmate: someone sharing a cell.
US; one writer’s account
Chain of command
Institutional termThe organization’s line of authority.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CChap
SlangA chaplain.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryCheck in
SlangAlso listed as: Checking in
Request protective custody.
US; one writer’s account
Chit
Institutional termA token exchanged for issued equipment in this usage.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CChomo
SlangAlso listed as: Cho mo
Insult alleging child molestation.
A label is not proof.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryChow hall
SlangAlso listed as: Mess hall
Dining area.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryChrono
ShorthandAn official record entry.
California usage
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryClassification
Institutional termAssessment used to assign custody or placement.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCO
ShorthandAlso listed as: Correctional officer, Corrections officer
An officer working in a correctional institution.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryCockatoo
SlangA lookout.
Australia / New Zealand usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryCollect call
Institutional termA telephone call charged to its recipient.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCommissary
Institutional termAlso listed as: Store day, Commissary day
The institution’s store; store day is the scheduled shopping opportunity.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyContact visit
Institutional termA supervised visit allowing limited physical contact.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CContraband
Institutional termItems that are unauthorized in a particular institution or context.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CCount
Institutional termStaff headcount of incarcerated people.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyCustody level
Institutional termThe assigned degree of supervision.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, CDayroom
SlangShared indoor recreation area.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryDesignation
Institutional termAssignment to a particular institution.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyDiesel therapy
SlangRepeated prison transport experienced as hardship.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyDog
SlangA loyal friend.
Meanings differ outside the US.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryDorm
SlangCommunal sleeping area.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryDown
SlangServing time; context may indicate allegiance.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryDropout
SlangSomeone who has left a gang.
US; one writer’s account
Ducat
ShorthandAppointment or movement slip.
California usage
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryElbow
SlangA life sentence.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryEnforcer
SlangSomeone imposing a group’s rules, sometimes through violence.
US; one writer’s account
Fade
SlangA fight.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryFish
SlangA newcomer still learning the institution’s routines.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyFishing
SlangPassing items or messages between cells.
US; one writer’s account
Grass
SlangInsult for an informant.
UK usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryGreen light
SlangAlso listed as: Green-lit
Authorization; when directed at someone, a threat of attack.
US; one writer’s account
Greens
SlangPrison uniform.
Australia / New Zealand usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryHack
SlangA corrections officer.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryHomeboy
SlangAlso listed as: Homie, Homes
Someone from the same hometown.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryHot one
SlangA murder charge.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryHouse
SlangAssigned cell or dorm.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryHustle
SlangAn income-making activity.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryInk
SlangTattoos.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryJacket
SlangA person’s institutional file.
Other regional meanings exist.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryJailhouse lawyer
SlangAn incarcerated legal helper, not necessarily an attorney.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryJigger
SlangAlso listed as: Jigging
A lookout or acting as lookout.
US; one writer’s account
Keistering
SlangAlso listed as: Kiestering
Concealing contraband inside the rectum.
US; one writer’s account
Khaki cop
SlangInsult for an incarcerated person acting like an officer.
US; one writer’s account
Kicker
SlangFermented material used to start another batch of pruno.
California writer’s usage
Kite
SlangAlso listed as: Cop-out
A written request to staff.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyLockdown
Institutional termConfinement to cells or units with movement restricted.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyMainline
SlangGeneral population; sometimes movement to meals.
US; usage varies
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Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryMan down
SlangCall for emergency assistance.
US; usage varies
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Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryMando
SlangMandatory.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryNick
SlangPrison.
UK usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryNinja turtles
SlangOfficers wearing riot gear.
US; one writer’s account
O.G.
SlangAlso listed as: OG
An older, experienced incarcerated person.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryOn the streets
SlangLife outside incarceration; does not necessarily mean homelessness.
US; one writer’s account
Over the hump
SlangPast half a sentence.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryPaperwork
SlangRecords about someone’s case, sometimes demanded by peers.
US; one writer’s account
Pat-down
Institutional termAlso listed as: Pat search
A search over clothing, often including carried possessions.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, PPC
Institutional termAlso listed as: Protective custody
Housing separation for personal safety.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyPerimeter search
Institutional termA search around the facility’s outer areas.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, PPhysical count
Institutional termA headcount checking people’s physical presence.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, PPill call
SlangMedication distribution.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryPops
SlangRespectful address for an older person.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryPorridge
SlangTime spent serving a sentence.
UK usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryPorter
SlangIncarcerated cleaning worker.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryPost
Institutional termAn assigned staff duty location or responsibility.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, PPruno
SlangAlcohol fermented inside prison.
California writer’s usage
PSR
Institutional termAlso listed as: PSI, Presentence report
A report prepared before sentencing about the case and person.
Federal US context
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyR&R
ShorthandAlso listed as: Receiving and release
Intake and departure processing.
California usage
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryRack
SlangA bed; also a caffeinated drink.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryRat
SlangAlso listed as: Snitch
Insult accusing someone of informing.
An accusation is not proof.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryRecords custodian
Institutional termStaff responsible for maintaining particular institutional records.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, RRelease papers
Institutional termDocuments recording or authorizing release and related conditions.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, RReligious diet
Institutional termFood prepared to meet religious dietary requirements.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, RRFP
Institutional termAlso listed as: Removal from population
Separation from general population for security or safety.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, RRoad dog
SlangA close companion during incarceration.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyScheduled movement
Institutional termTravel within the institution during designated periods.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SScrew
SlangInsulting name for a corrections officer.
UK usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossarySecurity level
Institutional termA facility’s security classification.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SSeg
SlangSegregated housing.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossarySegregation
Institutional termHousing apart from general population.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SShakedown
SlangAlso listed as: Search party
A search for prohibited items.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryShank
SlangAlso listed as: Shiv
An improvised stabbing weapon.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossarySharking
SlangVoyeuristically watching people using toilets or showers.
US; one writer’s account
Shift commander
Institutional termThe staff member in charge during a shift.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SShip
SlangAlso listed as: Ship out
Transfer to another institution.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryShot
SlangAn incident report alleging misconduct.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyShot caller
SlangA leader or representative within an incarcerated group.
US; one writer’s account
SHU
Institutional termAlso listed as: Shoe, Special housing unit
A unit separate from general population; placement reasons vary.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SSlides
SlangSlip-on footwear.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossarySlop
SlangDisparaging name for institutional food.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossarySmash and go
SlangA sudden group attack followed by departure.
US; one writer’s account
Snout
SlangA cigarette.
UK usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossarySoup
SlangInstant noodles, sometimes exchanged as currency.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossarySpread
SlangA shared meal assembled from available food.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryStanding count
Institutional termA headcount requiring people to stand.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SState issue
Institutional termClothing or other property supplied by the institution.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SStinger
SlangAn improvised electric heater.
California writer’s usage
Strip search
Institutional termA search requiring removal of clothing.
US corrections; local rules vary
Usage reference
JailGuide — corrections vocabulary, SSweeper
SlangA cleaning worker.
Australia / New Zealand usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryTake flight
SlangInitiate a fight or attack.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryThe hole
SlangAlso listed as: Hole
Informal name for segregated housing.
Federal US usage
Usage reference
Prisonpedia — federal prison terminologyThirty-eight hot
SlangVery angry.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryTorpedo
SlangSomeone tasked with violent punishment.
US usage
Usage reference
Prison slang — regional glossaryUnc
SlangRespectful address, from uncle.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryWhite lightning
SlangDistilled homemade alcohol in this account.
California writer’s usage
Write-up
SlangAlso listed as: Ticket, Slug
Disciplinary report.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossaryYard
SlangRecreation grounds or prison compound.
US; usage varies
Usage reference
Prison Journalism Project — writers’ glossary123 entries • Edited September 13, 2026 • Free to browse, with no sign-in required.