Sage-Tips

What does dog mean in prison?

Dog — inmate who reports on other inmates to officers.

What’s another name for the hole in prison?

It is also used to protect one prisoner from other inmates in the prison. Solitary confinement has many other names. In American English it is also called the ‘hole’, ‘lockdown’, the ‘SHU’ (pronounced ‘shoe’) or the ‘pound’.

What does the term fish mean in prison?

fresh fish
Fish, appearing especially in the phrase fresh fish, is prison slang for new, first-time inmates, usually considered naive and vulnerable. Fish, often appearing in the form of fishy or the phrase serving fish, is also slang in drag culture for a very feminine drag queen.

What is a screw in prison?

screw as a term for a prison guard is based on the fact that _screw_ was originally slang for “key.” One of the most important functions of a prison guard, or turnkey, as he’s often called, is to see that prisoners are locked up at the appropriate times — and that involves turning the “screw.” Interestingly enough.

What does Chester mean in prison?

child molestation
Chester. Slang term for an inmate incarcerated for child molestation.

Why is there so much slang in prison?

Prison is a culture all its own, and vocabulary moves toward slang upon prison entry. Many inmates come from lives on the streets, and this can produce a heavy use of slang; other terms are prison-based in their origin. We have put this section together to help the public understand the meanings behind some of these terms.

What does tier mean in prison slang?

Tier – Most prisons have several floors of housing units. A tier is one floor. Tier Time – Time when inmates have access to common areas of prison outside of their cells. Time – The length of an inmate’s sentence. Tipped Up – This is an inmate with an affiliation to a gang. Tom or George – These are signs for good and no good.

What does it mean when an inmate says caught out?

Catch Out – When a person cannot handle the pressure of a certain area and leaves. This can refer to an inmate or correctional facility employee. Catching a Train – Transportation of inmates between facilities when they are chained together. Caught My Case – Date on which an inmate was arrested for the crime to which he refers.

What does it mean to catch a pair of inmates?

CATCH A PAIR: A term used by correctional officers to instruct a group of inmates to stand in pairs for count or control purposes. CATCH A RIDE: To get high with a friend’s drugs. CATCH OUT: Any person whether it be an inmate or officer, that could not handle the pressure of any area, and left for this reason.