1
The Novelist Portent
Johnny E. Mahaffey March 18, 2020
PARDON YOURSELF: THIS IS PRISON
GLOSSARY EXCERPT
For those of you that don't know, one of the projects I am currently at work on, is a poetry/essay collection entitled: Pardon Yourself: This is Prison.
The book is complete. It's honest, and tells it how it is.
I am now about to do the final edit of the glossary and prison cookbook that will be in the back of the book. I am publishing here, an excerpt - the current version of the glossary - please excuse any typos or misspellings for now. But, I thought it might be enjoyable and educational for some to go ahead and have a peak at. Plus those of my friends and family that communicate with me, may find it helpful
for when I use prison slang (usually sarcastically).
CWI's Prison Slang/Jargon Glossary
©2020 J.E. Mahaffey
10-CODES: From the codes heard on guard walkie-talkies. Prisoners hear these daily, and have come to learn their meanings, and use it to help understand their surroundings. For example, if a prisoner is wanting to go out and play basketball, but hears the officer get a "That's a 10-10 on all REC" – then, the prisoner knows there is no recreational area to be opened, and can continue on without bothering to ask the guard. Or, if the prisoner is on REC, and hears "Go 10-8 on all REC fields", it's obvious to then stop exercising and get ready to exit the REC area. There are a lot of 10-Codes, but here are a few important ones:
10-4: Yes, or affirmative.
10-7: Open (i.e., open your REC field).
10-8: Close (i.e., close your REC field).
10-10: No.
10-12: Stand by
10-17: On the way, or in route.
10-21: Give a call
19-54: This numerical code is said to describe a hiring or firing from a job. The number is taken from the bottom of the actual SCDC form filled out by prison staff to request a prisoner (by name) for a specific job or area, or remove a prisoner from a job (a layoff, transfer, disciplinary infraction, or any number of reasons can arise for a firing).
87 THAT FOOL: Kill or stop
ADVERTISING: like most grandparents and parents have told their daughters for generations: "Don't advertise it if it ain't for sale!" In this case, it's a prisoner that wears his pants (or shorts) low, sagging them, exposing his ass in with the desire of attracting homosexual attention. Pants may sag, with shorts, or another pair of pants underneath; but, usually there's only thin underwear/boxers or nothing.
There is a confusion here at times, because some prisoners confuse it with a 1990s style of wearing their clothes, and thinking that they are being stylish, cool, or rebellious - when in fact, the more seasoned convicts see it as advertising, and mark them as boi. No amount of sagging is permitted by prison policy, and if the prison requests it: saggers can be charged with an indecent exposure warrant from the local county sheriff's office that lands the sagger on the sex offender registry. Yet, sagging still occurs; and while confusion to the sagger's motives may be in question, the general rule is that if the crack is visible (even in shape), it's for sale.
BABY BATTER: semen (SEE shower babies).
BAG: A small folded up piece of paper, or paper towel, containing enough marijuana (or tobacco) to roll up into a prison cigarette (a.k.a. a joint, a charlie or a rollup). Usually just a pinch of the drug, one free-world cigarette containing enough tobacco to make 4 prison smokes, each costing as $4.00.
BEAST: This is an overly strong (or aggressive) individual.
BIG BOY VISIT: someone going or coming from visitation after a visit, is said to have had a big boy visit. Because visits are rare, and only those with close family get them.
BLACK TEAM: SEE shake down.
BOI/BOY: The feminine partner of the homosexual relationship is called the "boi". (A "phat boi" is a homosexual prostitute that takes on many partners.)
BOMB: a concoction put together in a cup (or bag) to throw on someone:
لا
•
To disrespect: urine and feces that's sat for a while, brewing, and it's not uncommon for other items of disgust to be added when available. To mark sexually: semen To harm physically: heated baby oil
•
•
.
BONNIE: a ride-or-die type of girlfriend or wife, a female that sticks with her man despite his incarceration. Taken from Bonnie and Clyde.
BOX: 2 foot by 2 foot square taped (or drawn) on the floor, or a literal box, that two combatants are made to stand in and fight.
BRAA: pronounced Brahhhh, a brother, friend, or bro.
BUCK: Prison wine.
BUNK: one of the two, stacked metal beds.
BURGUNDY TEAM: SEE shake down.
BURP: also SEE prison wine. Burping, is when the winemaker has to relieve the pressure in his wine. The wine is fermented rather crudely, and in secret, using whatever container available. In addition, the smell must be hidden from officers to avoid confiscation of the wine, and disciplinary actions. Pressure builds in the container, and must be released, or else the container may explode.
BUS: This can be the prison bus, used for transport; or, an ambulance sent to pick up a prisoner.
CAMERA: prisoner that eyeballs others for the purpose of snitching, taking advantage, or theft.
CANTEEN: The prison store. Items found here are akin to what you'd find at a local gas station, and with spiked pricing, not to be compared with larger grocery chains. This includes a lot of junk food, candies, and premade/packaged meal items. Prisoners struggle to purchase nutritional and healthy items, and due to the making of prison wine, fresh fruits are not available. But the prions do attempt to offer what they can, like granola bars, bran flakes, vitamins, etc.
CBU: SEE Character-Based Unit.
CBU CHECK-IN: Unfortunately, there is a percentage of prisoners being able to bypass CBU criteria - usually a protective custody issue. Individuals that are not signing in, or made to be, official PC, but moved to the CBU for their own protection nonetheless. Such prisoners usually have bad habits that follow them: they were ran out of another dorm for stealing, lying, drug use, borrowing and not paying back, etc., and the CBU members then have to deal with their antics.
Thankfully PCs can end up shipped eventually, but some manage to remain indefinitely. Sometimes they may change their negative habits - or at least stop them for the time being, to remain in the CBU - but, in the end, most do not change and continually fall victim to their own vices.
CBU GANGSTA: (pronounced CBU-gang-STAAAA) someone that hides like a church-mouse in regular dorms, but comes out and acts strong strutting in the CBU. They will act all bad, and mean, ready to fight; but, facing any chance of removal from the CBU, they begin to cry and snitch and do anything they can to avoid being put into a nonCBU dorm.
CELLIE: Roommate, or cell-mate. The person you are forced to share a cell with. Usually kept within a certain matching criteria by the prison's classification and housing rules:
• No more than a 10 year difference in age . Similar charge(s) and/or length of sentence
• A similar mental status (i.e., a general population prisoner should not be in a
cell with a mental health patient, or vice versa) It is not uncommon for the system to erroneously place prisoners together that should not be in the same cell: with fights, and even deaths, ensuing. And while the prison's classification system tries to adhere to the guidelines, the prison overpopulation makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible.
CHARACTER-BASED UNIT (CBU): A dorm/unit where special programs and classes are offered. This is an addition to S.C. prisons added around 2016 officially, borrowed from an early 2000s program called "Character First" implemented in other state prisons, primarily on the west coast, that showed positive changes (i.e., decreased violence, and lower recidivism).
The primary goals stated by SCDC were to create "a cleaner, quieter, safer living environment; reduce recidivism for participants; reduce disciplinary infractions for the institution; emphasize educational growth; and provide a more stable, pro-social living environment." To enter the CBU, prisoners are supposed to meet a certain criteria:
Clean disciplinary:
- No administrative resolutions / minor charge in 6 months.
- No major disciplinary charge in 12 months.
• High school diploma or GED (or actively enrolled to get it).
Consistent work history (within the prisoner's physical/mental limitations). Pass a drug test upon entry, and at any given time. Offer something to the CBU, a skill or something they can teach, meaningful "program involvement". Sign a "social contract," that takes rules of conduct within the CBU above the norms of prisoner expectations.
To remain a resident in the CBU, prisoners must agree to respect CBU liaisons and mentors put in place to uphold CBU rules, and attend 3 to 5 classes per semester (depending on prison). Classes are mostly taught by prisoners, certified by the state to teach OMS approved subjects with accompanying curricula, such as: anger management, substance abuse, etc. Many classes are offered, like: CBU Scribe: Creative Writing, Science a Candle in the Dark: Physics (also with astrophysics, biology, Earth Science, etc., alternating with semesters)
The CBU class/program schedule usually weeds out the fakers from the true members.
CBU members are prisoners with a strong desire to better themselves, and prove it to the system (or themselves) that they are worthy of societal reintegration. Graduates of the classes/programs have positive things to contribute to society, instead of being a burden upon it. This makes the teachers/instructors the most important resources of CBUS.
CBU program objectives include: "Provide courses helping with self-actualization; promote personal development; promote peer-to-peer accountability, etc." Part of SCDC's policy states: "Character Programs create synergy, and define CBUs (Character Based units) as living in an improved community, rather than survival of the fittest."
CHARLIE: A prison cigarette/rollup containing tobacco, marijuana, or some other drug
CHECK-IN: (SEE protective custody)
CHESTER: Pedophile (SEE Pedo)
CHOW: Food. When the prison kitchen serves trays, "chow call" is made - as if calling dogs or animals
CHOW CALL: See chow
COMMISSARY: The place where the prison laundry is done
CONVERSATE: converse, to talk and hold a conversation.
CONVICT (CON): (also SEE old school) The variation that the "cons" prefer, is that they are old schools with the positive habits acquired over time, not the negative associations usually tagged to those who have served many years. Usually 25-plus years. They have been around long enough to see the prison system change completely-several times. Those calling themselves convicts, also share a non-snitching code. A don't ask, don't see, don't tell, attitude. Convicts do NOT like being called inmates, and draw a strong distinction between the two (SEE inmates).
Officers using the term convict, respect that they often know more about the prison rules than most prison staff members, and that the old convicts mostly just want to be left alone. They are dangerous, but only if provoked.
CREEPING: is a business endeavor (an illegal con) "The Creep Game", that prisoners took from the cop's own playbook: police use youthful looking female officers, sometimes still cadets, to entrap possible sex offenders. At some point, somewhere, a criminal got the idea to turn it around and make it an open game for all:
A set of photos is used to create a profile of a girl (or boy), that is posted online for anyone to notice. It is of course bait for pedophiles! Just like the legal version of this game, the bait could be a person of consenting age, but looks youthful enough for a pedo. Like the cadets used in police stings. Over the years, prisoners have creeped a lot of pedophiles online, but unfortunately some have turned out to be police officers, judges, military personnel, preachers, etc. Sometimes they'll even catch other prisoners. These pedophiles were NOT sought after, or targeted, they just happened to be the one taking the bait that was put out for general public. Revealing that in all levels of society, in every nook and cranny, pedos are hiding, even in authoritative positions.
After a pedo is caught, they are blackmailed. It is a con after all. The creepers don't feel bad, because the "victims" are pedophiles that tried to hook up with the child in the photos (or videos) they thought they were talking to. Often, even after the pedo is taken for every dollar he (or she)
has, the creeper still turns the sexual deviant over to authorities-anonymously of course. Just to make sure they get looked at, and taken off the streets is possible.
Creeping is a serious federal crime, and can carry many years in prison for each count. But, one has to be mindful of those screaming to be victims-because after all, they apparently belong behind bars too.
DASHED: This is when someone (an officer/staff/volunteer or a prisoner) gets something thrown on them (SEE bomb).
DAYROOM: each dorm/unit has two rooms (one upstairs and one downstairs), on each side that are designated for games (e.g., cards, chess, puzzles, etc.). In CBUs these rooms are primarily classrooms, complete with dry erase boards, book shelves, etc.
DEAD MAN WALKING: Someone with no hope. No longer used specifically for a death row prisoner - it can be applied in various cases. Such as, a prisoner that's made some enemies (usually an unpaid debt).
DO BOY: A prisoner that is a drone. A follower.
DOG COLLAR: in reference to a dog-like leash sometimes used when prisoners in solitary confinement are being moved from one location to another.
DORM: The building (or unit) where prisoners are housed. The word dorm used to mentally downplay the fact that it is in most cases - regardless of name - a place of death and lost hope.
DOWNLOW: keeping something secret, unknown, or discreet. Only those involved (if any) know.
DRONE: SEE do boy
DRY SNITCHING: SEE snitch
EATING: when a female guard/staff/volunteer is in the gun range, willingly, and is watching the prisoner masturbate. It is said that she is, eating it....
FACTS: "Yeah, you're right." Said in response.
FIRE IN THE HOLE: warning that guards or shake down in coming
FLAP: Also called the "door flap" or the "shit flap" or the "window flap", this is anything used to cover a cell door's window, preventing anyone outside of it from seeing in. The implication is that the cell's occupant is using the toilet, or getting dressed: but, it is more often used to hide illicit activity - minor or major criminal infractions, or even acts of homosexuality or abuse.
FOOTBALL: This is a "package" of contraband (in any shape) tossed over the prison fences. It looks like the name started because of Nerf footballs being hollowed out and filled with drugs before being tossed or
kicked over into the prison. But, the football can be any shape or size. Sometimes a potato gun (or canon) is used to give them needed momentum.
FRY: Prisoners in S.C. have no access to cook food purchased at the canteen, other than a microwave placed in the unit/dorm (purchased with prisoner funds, money collected from prisoners as donation through IRC purchases), and prisoners will fry things by microwaving them for long periods of time. Any use of a microwave for longer than six (6) minutes is prohibited. Yet, this is still done surreptitiously by many younger prisoners, with little (to no) cooking experience.
They attempt to get a golden brown fry on rice, or make potato cakes.
Every item sold to prisoners is precooked and packaged, and only needs reheating. After too much of this frying, often the food will have no actual nutrition left in it, and simply acts as filler food: its proteins utterly destroyed. Done in a light amount, the right way, it can be done in under six (6) minutes, without destroying the foods' nutritional values.
GENERAL POPULATION: this is the location of the prison's "general public" equivalent. Prisoners here are not under any additional punishments other than being imprisoned. They get to roam the prison yard to go to the cafeteria, mail room, school, recreational areas, etc. They can also shop at the prison store once a week (when available).
GET RIGHT: meaning depending on use:
• If contraband officers are on the way, and it's announced, they will say, "Get
right." Prisoners, and even prison staff use this. A prisoner getting off of work, will usually want to get a shower, call home, make food, and complete whatever their daily routine may be. Doing this is referred to as: "getting right"
GLIZZY: SEE shank
GREEN MILE: grass perimeter around the prison
GUN MAN: the guy in the canteen (prison store) that runs the register
GUN RANGE: within the viewing area of a prisoner in the jack game that is active, and eyeballing a female (or male) guard/officer/volunteer, or another prisoner. If a prisoner is blocking his view, he will tell them they are in the gun range.
And just as no one would want to walk out onto an actual gun range, avoiding the prisoners' jack game one would be strongly advised.
HILL: SEE solitary confinement
HOLE: SEE solitary confinement
HOLLER BACK: respond
HOUSE: cell, used by prisoners to erroneously refer to their place of confinement.
HUSTLE: An under-the-table, unapproved way of making money (usually paid in food items from the canteen)
ICE SUPPER: A prisoner that has no money to buy food will often eat ice. He uses water to stretch his stomach to false content, and does so with disregard - or denial-of the risk it poses to his teeth (if he has them). I've seen four INMATES who broke a tooth, either eating ice, chewing hard candy, or doing one after the other.
INMATE: a term given to S.C. prisoners, by the state in the 1990s to belittle their humanity. The term inmate in practically all dictionaries includes the definition in some form or another:
Someone in an institution: someone who has been confined within a prison or a psychiatric hospital and/or asylum for treatment or public safety.
It is the latter that prisoners take offense to, for obvious reasons: it dehumanizes the individual. Similar to the U.S. posters used to depict Japanese citizens as nonhuman during the WWII in order to desensitize soldiers from them; inmates are portrayed as dangerous, mentally unstable, unfixable, and nonhuman, in order to desensitize the public from viewing them as fellow humans. A previous S.C. governor even used the word "animals" to describe S.C. prisoners in a speech.
IRC (INMATE REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEE): A set of prisoners voted on by the prison's general population, and approved by the warden(s). IRC representatives act a liaisons between prison administration and the general population. Meetings involve issues that may impact the prisoners in positive, or negative ways.
The IRC also conducts food sales (averaging at least two a year), in which prisoners are allowed to purchase an approved item from an outside vendor (e.g., pizza, chicken, burgers, etc.). The IRC is limited to how much profit they can make, and from the proceeds they do make, a percentage is taken for victim impact groups, and what's left is used to purchase TVs and microwaves for the areas of units where general population prisoners are held.
The prison's recreational coach, is appointed as the head of the IRC and works with the representatives on a daily basis to meet prison needs, handle issues, and prepare for meetings with upper administration.
INSTITUTIONALIZED: a prisoner that is mentally influenced by prison in perceivable ways, with many red flags:
. Always participates in illicit activities
• Constantly trying to beat the system, seeing anyone in uniform as their enemy,
and justifying any actions against them as acceptable behavior because of their situation. Will use any (and all) job opportunities primarily for self-gain. (e.g., to hustle, get contraband, or just to see female staff members, etc.) Will prefer the prison's overhead fluorescent lights over lower wattage lamps that are available for prisoners to use. The institutionalized prisoner will use the overhead light a lot because they've been trained by the prison to use it. Cannot keep steady employment (if employed at all). Cannot properly socialize or hold a proper conversation.
•
embittered towards new prisoners with more free-world experience, and especially threatened by fellow prisoners that have done the same amount of prison time (or more) and are not institutionalized (i.e., prisoners that can hold steady employment, socialize properly, and could reintegrate into society easily). Has a very low vocabulary and supplements it with an abundant amount of prison slang Has little (to no) technical or computer experience. Not culturally educated (i.e., not aware of current movies, shows, songs, celebrities, etc.), unaware of general knowledge shared by people in the free world. Prisoners can still keep up with the outside world, via: TV, books, magazines, and newspapers. Those that don't at least try to keep up, fall further behind every year, and a lot of years can start to show quickly in conversation, as they cannot make connections with current pop culture references and/or allusions or quotes.
Each Prisoner has a choice, to sit and play cards all day, talking, and watching things like Jerry Springer - or be mindful of their stimuli and use the time to learn things that will rehabilitate them or make them better. Keeping a positive attitude, reading academic/literary journals, watching science shows like Novo, taking classes attending programs (especially those relevant to their charge, like anger management, domestic violence, or substance/alcohol abuse, etc.), and keeping up with popular shows or movies (best as they can considering their location and available resources), can not only prevent mental institutionalization, but gives the prisoner a chance to leave prison better than when they entered.
Prisoners that enter, with a low education and/or IQ, have a much less chance of rehabilitation, and risk falling under the wrong influence. Quite literally, not knowing any better, they end up institutionalized, and lost to the system.
ITP (Institutional Tipping Point): a term coined by the author in a 2012 essay, the ITP is a threshold in time when a prisoner reaches the point he has been in prison longer than he has been free. (i.e., a 20 year old locked up, would reach his ITP at age 40, and then when he passes it, he knows more of prison than he does of the free world and is in danger of complete mental institutionalization).
IT'S HARD ON THE YARD: Two extremely opposing definitions, according to context:
The struggle
• Can also be used to describe a raised percentage of sexual activity on the prison
yard.
IT IS WHAT IT IS: Meaning accept it, you can't change it, it's outside of your control, that's how things are.
JACK: Used to describe a cellular phone (taken most likely from phone jack, a connection)
JACK BOY: SEE mad jacker
10
JACK GAME: Describing the antics of the Pink Boys, prisoners caught masturbating at or around female (or male) officers or other prisoners. They usually have the self-illusion that the object of their affection wanted it in some way, or was a part of the act.
JAILHOUSE CHRISTIAN: a person that finds religion, or is born again, while behind bars - but only, truly, for the sake of getting out of prison, or making a good show of rehabilitation. The red flags that tell on these particular fakes, is the use of contraband-like drugs, alcohol, or smoking - some hide homosexuality while verbally condemning homosexuals - some condemn pedophiles, while being in prison as a sex-offender themselves. Being a hypocrite seems to be the status quo of Jailhouse Christians.
L
JAILHOUSE LAWYER: a prisoner that practices law as a makeshift/self-taught paralegal/attorney, and does so for other prisoners, usually as a hustle.
JODY: When a husband (or boyfriend) is gone, Jody is the name given to the individual that comes in and out of the backdoor to take his spot in the home and bed. Prisoners will taunt each other not to worry about their wife (or girlfriend) because Jody is taking care of her....
KITE: a note from prisoner to prisoner - considered contraband - usually used in reference to contraband or some illicit activity
LAY DOWN: The act of a prisoner relaxing, accepting the moment, or whatever time discussed in context, and relaxing. Taking a chill pill, and accepting this is prison, or it is what it is.
LIEBARY: (pronounced: Lie-berry) meaning Library
LICK: a score, job, hustle, or crime, that pays a lot, enough to cover living expenses for a while.
LIKED'D: (pronounced liked-ED) some weird variant of liked that came into existence
LOCK-DOWN: To put the prisoner (or prisoners) behind locked cell doors. The prison may lock down a prisoner for disciplinary reasons, an entire dorm/unit, a particular prison, or it can be a state-wide lock-down. The rule is, that during a lock-down, prisoners should be given access to a shower every 48 hours, but that doesn't always occur. Set days, like Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, are usually adhered to, but if something occurs (i.e. short of prison staff) on one of the days, the prisoners end up four days without a shower, or longer.
LOUD: marijuana that is extremely potent and pungent
MAD JACKER: A participant in the "Jack Game", or a prisoner that simply cannot control himself.
MANGINA: The wrong end of a man
MAYTAG: A prisoner that washes clothes for other prisoners. In an illegal way, as a hustle.
MENTAL HEALTH: Prisoners with mental health issues, will often time use it as a "get out of jail FREE" card in various situations. Acting out, and when others see who they are, they'll just say, "Oh, he's mental health." As if that's explanation enough.
'MATER HEAD: (Pronounced: MATE-er) like tomato head, shortened. It means the tip of a penis. (also SEE turtlehead)
MOON ROCK: SEE mystery meat
MUD: Two extremely opposing definitions, according to context:
• A term for coffee
• Feces of the boi (i.e., mud packing)
MULE: a person that transports contraband
MYSTERY MEAT: meat that is unfit for animals, yet ground up and served to prisoners. If put into a burger form, it's referred to as a "moon rock" because of its not-of-this-Earth color, shape, and smell.
NINJA (THAT NINJA): HIV/AIDS, used as: "He got that ninja." Meaning he's contracted HIV/AIDS
NUTRA LOAF: a combination of vegetables and leftover bread made into a loaf and given to prisoners in solitary confinement
OFF THE CHAIN: Out of control.
OLD SCHOOL: after prolonged incarceration (any amount of time over ten years) prisoners have the potential to develop in a negative way, picking up bad habits that they will carry with them into society (over 95 percent of prisoners do have a release date) - and it is the prisons' responsibilities to see that these individuals are given a chance for rehabilitation and successfully reintegrated into society - not tossed back out as society's problem.
- NEGATIVES
• A prisoner past the ITP (SEE Institutional Tipping Point).
This is not just a prisoner that is older, or necessarily smarter, or more experienced in any way. This can be an institutionalized prisoner with mental problems due to the long incarceration, out of touch with society to a point that assistance is needed for reintegration. Sometimes locked up as a teen, growing up behind bars, with prison being all they know. A prisoner that is holding on to the previous decades of prison. Not wanting to adapt to (or accept) the changes (prison policies and procedures go through evolutions with society, undergoing complete changes every few years).
+ POSITIVES If a prisoner uses the years wisely, their level of education can increase exponentially, and if the subjects and curricula are in the right direction, with
true academic or vocationally targeted goals, it can make them a valuable addition to society. Over time, with age and experience, the prisoner may have leaned good habits, and how to be a respectable roommate even in the worst of situations. A violent prisoner, over the years, may have seen enough of it, or became exposed to how that life path usually ends, and finally became peaceful and calm. Some were just in the wrong place in the wrong time, around the wrong people (or influence), a victim of circumstance or locale - and the years behind bars removed them from it, allowing them to grow to be their true potential, or close to it. A prisoner can develop a close bond with family that stood by them, visiting them and writing.
OLD SPARKY: The S.C. electric chair
OMS (OFFENDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM): The prisons' computer system in place to track prisoners. A screen, by prisoner number, shows each prisoner's history of incarceration. This includes OMS coded classes.
OMS CLASSES: Classes/programs that meet the requirements for OMS recognition. Each class/program is assigned a numerical code that gives the prisoner credit for taking it. Such classes have to have an approved curricula, and be taught by a certified teacher/instructor/facilitator (including TESA/OMS certified prisoners).
OTR (ODER TO REPORT): A slip of paper delivered to the prisoner, asking them to report to a specific department (or location) at a specific time. (i.e., to report to the prison's mail room to pick up legal mail that arrived for them.)
PACKAGE: The general meaning matching that of the dictionary, but applied in two ways:
• A container, or wrapping of contraband, intended for the prison. It can be in
any shape or form, from a Nerf football, to a full-size duffel bag. Brought in to the prison a number of ways (e.g., prison pocket or suitcase via a guard/staff/volunteer/visitor, drone, potato gun, etc.) A care package, a large clear-plastic bag of various items: prisoners in S.C. get a chance four times a year to order a "package" (the purchase can be made by the prisoner, family, a friend, or anyone - all that's needed is the prisoner's name, location, and prisoner number, all found online); this includes all kinds of food, clothing, and hygiene items that are not available at the prison store. (just Google South Carolina Prison care packages, or Access Securepak)
PC:SEE protective custody
PEANUT HEAD: A prisoner that is small minded, not very smart. Sometimes, literally, a small head shaped like a peanut.
PEDO: Pedophile, regardless of the psychological definition, a pedo is any sex-offender with a victim (female or male) under the age of 16. (also Chester or dead man walking)
PETER METER: Lie detector test machine designed for specifically for sex-offenders. In addition to the standard polygraph, a potential pedo is placed in a chair with extra attachments that can register sexual excitement when shown photos/videos that no normal person should be aroused by. This tells the prison and court system what kind of sexual deviance (if any) the individual may have, and can cause the sex-offender to be deemed a sexual predator.
The offender, can possibly be committed. Institutionalized as a continued danger to society in a special segregated facility made for sex criminals that have finished their prison sentence, but cannot be rightfully released into society.
P.1. (PI): SEE Prison Industries
PICK: a spike used like a knife to stab. Unlike a shank, the pick us usually just a spike of metal, like a piece of fence broke off and sharpened.
PICK AT: when a prisoner purposely attempts to antagonize another prisoner, get information, trigger (or manipulate) them into doing something.
PILL LINE: the call made from the medical department for prisoners with prescriptions to come and get their medication.
PIPE: penis. Some prisoners will say they, "like to lay pipe", meaning: have copious amounts of sex.
PIPELINE: route for contraband
PLUG: A prisoner's connection to get contraband. Either moved on the yard or into the prison.
POLECAT: a prisoner that emits a foul smell
POPPER: pencil (used for its graphite as an electrical filter), or any tool, used to stick into an electrical socket for a spark to light a rollup. When a popper is used, a wick (a piece of tissue) is used to catch the spark for fire, that is then touched to the rollup.
POST UP: stand watch. Prisoners engaged in nefarious activities will usually have a buddy post up and stand watch for officers, or other prisoners.
POTATO CAKE: A mixture of instant potatoes, butter, and water, that is put in a bowl and microwaved until all water is gone, and the potatoes are a crisp bowl shaped cake that is hopefully golden brown, fried. To do this usually requires more than the allotted six (6) minute use for microwaves.
PRISON FINE: A female-employee or volunteer-that in the free world, men would consider to be a 1 or a 2, but in prison she is more accepted as 8 or 9, and treated as such, with near goddess-like celebrity status. (1 can never say 10, because I have only ever known one Ten, and my Ten knows exactly who she is)
PRISON GAY: This is a term used by some that are actively homosexual during their prison stay but still wish to pretend that they are heterosexual. Instead of admitting that they are in fact willing participants in homosexual activity, they will deny until caught, and then play it off by calling it "prison gay", blaming it on their current environment. While true heterosexuals have no problem abstaining from such activities.
The "prison gay" game played, spreads many diseases that participants often carry home to a wife or girlfriend.
PRISON INDUSTRIES: Some prisons have production plants. (e.g., car-tag plant, road-sign plant, custom screenprinting and engraving plant, wood flooring plant, welding shop, etc.) Prisoners at medium security facilities usually get less than $1.00 per hour, Minimum level (plus a few medium) pay prisoners minimum wage for specific jobs, but still take out for room and board
Taxes are deducted first
25% for room and board
• 35% for child support if applicable (This overrides room and board; if a PI
employee is paying child support, room and board is not taken out) 10% for victim impact/advocacy 10% for victim impact/advocacy (for some reason it gets a second deduction) 10% put into the prisoner's long term savings account, to be given upon release
Prisoners have to meet a strict criteria to qualify for prison industry work, and those that make the cut consider themselves to be very lucky to have paying employment (any pay), and something to do.
PRISON POCKET/PURSE: When a woman's vagina is used so hide contraband
PRISON WINE: otherwise known as buck, this is a mixture of anything with sugar, added to a fermented starter, or yeast if they can get it. People have went blind, and even died from it. It's been the cause of many fights - a lot of guys in prison for alcohol related crimes, are the very ones making and selling the buck. But, anyone caught, or even suspected of making, selling, or having the makeshift wine-gets a disciplinary action, and it goes on their record, and can be seen by the courts
PROTECTIVE CUSTODY (PC): This has an official meaning, by the prison administration, and a few in gray areas used by prisoners, depending on situation:
• OFFICIAL PC, is when the prison has to put a prisoner in solitary confinement, or
move them to another state, because they are in danger. Usually this is a pedophile or snitch Prisoners will consider a fellow prisoner as PC for a few reasons:
•
They went to officers and traded information to be moved to a different dorm/unit, and did so in a questionable way. They had their parent(s) call the prison headquarters to get them moved out of a dangerous area they were afraid of, or just to get to a better place. Someone that is removed from a CBU, and has their family call, plead, or threaten the institution with lawsuits until they are moved back into the CBU.
15
PULL UP: for a prisoner to meet another prisoner, to come "holla" at him or someone else
PUNK: A willing (or unwilling) homosexual prostitute, or being made to pay a debt (usually made from drug use, or something borrowed and not payed back)
RADIO SHACK: a prisoner that fixes electronics as a hustle. Soldering is prohibited, and the tools are unavailable - a radio shack will create what's need with things at hand, and get solder in questionable ways, Frankensteining parts from broken devices to fix other less broken ones when needed.
RED TEAM: SEE shake down
RESPECT: used to say, that's right, or I respect that, or as a group we do (or should) respect that.
ROCK: The common area in the middle of the unit/dorm, usually where the TVs and sitting area is located. In multi-level buildings, this is usually at the ground level. Given its name because when a prisoners head is slammed onto it, the result is the same as if hitting a rock, leaving the prisoner dead or with a fractured skull.
ROLLUP: A prison cigarette containing tobacco, marijuana, or some additional drug
RUN AROUND: any prisoner that stays officially out during a lock-down situation, and because of this freedom, gets used by the unit manager and prison administration to run errands (e.g., collect trash, hand out food trays, collect up used food trays, sweep & mop the floors, etc.).
SAGGING: SEE advertising
SCORE: to successfully get something, usually contraband
SCDC: South Carolina Department of Corrections
SET UP: A mixture of any food, or any in-cell/in-dorm meal (see the prison cookbook)
SHAKE DOWN: to search a prisoner, or their cell. There are many levels of a shake down, it can be an individual, or a group:
SNATCH team: a small group (2-6) officers from that prison, in normal uniforms BURGUNDY team: a large group of officers brought in from different institutions, dressed in burgundy uniforms. Used for searching complete buildings/dorms/units RED (Rapid Response Team: similar to the Burgundy Team, but dressed in full riot gear, red in color. Used for searching buildings/dorms/units, and for responding to riot type situations, mass killings, or attacks on officers. BLACK team: unlike the other teams, the Black Team comes in partly armed and ready to respond to higher level riot situations, gassing the prisoners, and responding with the prison's strongest allowed force closest to SWAT style tactics.
SHANK: A prison knife. Made of anything available that will stab.
SHOOT A ROUND: Fight
SHOOT THE ONE: Invitation to a fight
SHOT OUT: Crazy, institutionalized. Also applied when a prisoner is just humorous.
SHOWER BABIES: Semen ejaculated into the shower(s)
SIDE TALK: Saying something in an indirect way. It's usually referred to as side talk when the effort(s) are not as sly as the speaker thinks. A tactic commonly employed by the old schools, and institutionalized prisoners, thinking that they are smart, but-in fact - it ends up making them look stupid.
It can also be used to purposely pick at someone.
SMELL GOOD: Incense or some chemical that acts like it. Religious services. Also used to mask the smell of drugs and/or some other contraband.
SNATCH TEAM: SEE shake down
SNITCH: or deceivingly referred to as a "confidential informant": someone that tells information about another, usually for no apparent reason other than their own gain, usually to stay out of punishment themselves, or get relief.
A snitch often will try to be sly about it, to avoid punishment from fellow prisoners. There is what's called "dry snitching" that is a way of side talk. Trying to inadvertently tell something to an officer. To perhaps tell something that is not itself the key information, but leads the listener to a conclusion, or place, that gets someone in trouble.
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT: a place where prisoners are taken for PC, or disciplinary infractions. Those deemed too dangerous, or undeserving of being in general population
SPOT: Hiding place for contraband
STORE: cell with a stock of items up for bartering (SEE store man).
STORE MAN: a prisoner that runs a store from his cell - a hustle - trading food. Usually it's a 2 for 3, meaning that for each dollar borrowed, three is payed back within 7 days. 20 dollars of food items borrowed one week becomes 30 the next. A good store man can have over a thousand dollars coming in each week, minimum. The reason a store man flourishes is because the prison store is hard to get to sometimes, and limits are placed. (A store man side-steps the limits by having funds sent to different prisoners to shop each week, stocking him up). Some customers buying large amounts of groceries, pay the store man with illegal cash sent to him.
FI
SUITCASE: To put an item of contraband (any contraband or item) into the body cavity through the anus (or vagina, in the case of a female officer bringing contraband into the prison, in which case it's usually referred to as her "prison pocket", or "prison purse", when inserted that way)
TESA (TEACHING EFFECTIVE SKILLS FOR CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT): A course that trains prisoners as instructors, teachers referred to as facilitators. TESA covers methods of classroom management, lesson creation, student-teacher relations, and implementation of instructional/learning theory, creating uniformity in the classes/programs of CBUs across the state.
TESA is recognized by the SCDC Offender Management System (OMS), and the Parole Board. TESA itself is OMS Code 540.
THIS IS PRISON: Used in the same way as it is what it is, but more specific to prison.
TOP & BOTTOM: both parts of a cellular phone:
• Top: a cellular phone . Bottom: the charger and cable
TRUCK: The act of sending a kite somewhere, from one cell to the other, or across the unit. This can include lots of string, fashioned from whatever is available, thrown all over, suspended, swung, and caught. This takes lots of ... fly-fishing type skill, and patience.
TRUE, TRUE, TRUE: Confirmation, in agreement.
TURTLEHEAD: The end of an erect (or placid) penis - like a ... turtlehead peeking out sheepishly.
UP FRONT (UP TOP): the operations area of the prison, where the warden's office and other upper staff is located. Prisoners visiting these offices are often suspected as snitches, PC, or both.
VIKING: unhygienic prisoner; this is usually someone that does not shower or (if they have them) brush their teeth regularly; dirty uniforms will be piled in their cell; they, and their belongings usually carry an unmistakable odor. (SEE polecat)
WET: bloody, when someone is stabbed, they are "wet up"
WHAT THAT BE? or WHAT THAT IS?: What is that?
WHAT TIME IT BE?: What time is it?
WICK: SEE popper
WORD: Depending on context:
• Used as a response; a sarcastic way of saying you are correct, or that's right
• A prisoner's honor, or promise
WORSER: worse
18
YOUNGBLOOD: A youth, usually under the age of 21
YOUNG BUCK: A youth, usually under the age of 25
YOUS: (Pronounced YOU-ss) You are
YOU'RE DEAD: Meaning NO. You can't have that, or do that, etc.