Learn the Lingo
Prison Slang
Big homie:
n. A person with rank or status in a group; a personal mentor in prison.
Building channel:
n. The inmate in a building or unit who is in charge of all that happens in that unit.
C.O.:
abbr. Correctional Officer; a prison guard charged with watching over inmates.
Cat nap:
n. A quick nap, usually while cell doors are locked.
Check in:
v. To ask a CO to be placed in SHU to avoid violent reprisals for being hot or having other issues with inmates.
Chomo:
n. A child molester; also used to describe inmates with sexual offenses other than rape.
Civilian:
n. An inmate who is not affiliated with a group or gang.
Hot:
adj. Being cooperative with the government in exchange for privileges or a lesser sentence.
K-9:
n. Police or correctional officers.
Keep point:
v. To look out for COs while another inmate needs privacy, such as while making a shank or getting a tattoo.
Keister:
v. To hide contraband in one’s rectum.
Kite:
n. A message, usually written on a small piece of paper.
Let me holler at you:
idiom. Phrase spoken by one inmate to another whose advice he is seeking, or with whom he has a problem to address.
Machine:
n. A structured group that works out together.
Mainline:
n. The general population housing area of a prison.
Move on:
v. To get whacked, with or without weapons.
Ex. Chris got moved on when word got out that he’s a chomo.
N.A.:
abbr. New arrival; new inmate in a prison.
Piece:
n. An inmate’s personal knife.
Ex. I got my piece on me.
Play the ticket:
v. To play a sports ticket; to gamble in prison.
Post up:
v. To watch out or stand guard, often while strapped, for an inmate while he is exposed or vulnerable.
Ex. Big V posted up for me while I took a shower.
Pruno:
n. Alcohol made by inmates, using fermented fruit and sugar.
Put in work:
v. To do anything necessary for a group, including fighting with or without weapons.
Ex. I had to put in work when I was at the USP.
Rep:
n. A representative for a group.
Ex. The rep for the South Siders was a dope fiend.
The SHU:
abbr. Segregated Housing Unit; area of a prison reserved for inmates with disciplinary infractions or security issues; also known as the Hole.
Shank:
n. A homemade knife.
Solid:
adj. A person one can rely and depend on, no matter what.
Spread:
n. A makeshift meal put together with various ingredients for a group of inmates.
Squad leader:
n. In more structured groups, inmates who are in charge of members for purposes of working out or security.
Strapped:
adj. Armed, especially with a shank.
Ex. I’m strapped up right now, so don’t trip.
Suited and booted:
adj. Dressed and ready for battle.
Take a lap:
v. To take a walk around the yard with an inmate of status to discuss one’s issues or mistakes.
Whack:
v. To severely wound or kill another inmate of one’s own race or group, usually with weapons.
Wigsplit:
n. A severe beating.
Wila:
n. Spanish slang for a message, usually issuing orders and written on a small piece of paper.