Reverse Dictionary: PRISON – NOUNS

► AB the Aryan Brotherhood, a white prison gang in the US → 1990 US sl.
► ABBOTT’S LODGE the King’s Bench prison → M19 sl.
► ABBOTT’S PARK the King’s Bench prison → M19 sl.
► ABBOTT’S PRIORY the King’s Bench Prison → c1820 sl.
► ABBOTT’S TEETH the spiked that topped the prison wall at the King’s Bench prison
► A.C. Aryan Circle, A White supremacist prison gang → 2000s US prison sl.
► ACADEMY a prison → E19 sl.
► A-DECK a prison cell used for solitary confinement → 1984 US sl.
► ADJUSTMENT CENTRE a part of a prison reserved for the solitary confinement of prisoners → 1955 US
► AIRY a ventilator in a prison cell → 1970s sl.
► AKERMAN’S HOTEL Newgate prison → c1788 Eng. sl.
► ALLEY a walkway between rows of prison cells; the open area outside a row of cells → 1992 US criminals’ sl.
► ALMA MATER a prison where a criminal has served time → 1949 US sl.
► APARTMENT a prison cell  → 1949 US sl.
► BACK TIME time spent in prison awaiting sentencing → 1950s US criminals’ sl.
► BACK-DOOR PAROLE dying in prison before one’s sentence is over → 1930s US prison sl.
► BACK-GATE COMMUTE death in prison, esp. by suicide → 1942 Amer. prison sl.
► BACK-GATE DISCHARGE an inmate’s death in prison → 1920s US prison sl.
► BACK-GATE EXIT an inmate’s death in prison → 1920s US prison sl.
► BACK-GATE PAROLE death in prison, esp. by suicide → 1929 Amer. prison sl.
► BAGNIO an oriental prison; a place of detention for slaves; a penal establishment → 1599
► BAILEY, THE prison in general → L19 Aust. sl.
► BALL a prison ration, 170g (6oz) of meat → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► BALMY a prison wing for disturbed inmates → 1940s sl.
► BAND confinement, imprisonment, custody → a1300 obs.
► BAND-HOUSE a prison → 1942 US criminals’ sl.
► BANG-UP 1. imprisonment within one’s cell, without association or exercise → 1950s UK prison sl.
2. the shutting of a cell door at the end of a prison day → 1950s UK prison sl.
► BASTILLE a prison → 1790
► BIG CAGE a state or federal reformatory or penitentiary → 1949 US criminals’ sl.
► BIG HOUSE, THE prison → 1916 sl., orig. US
► BIG PASTURE the penitentiary → 1945 US Western usage (Bk.)
► BIG ROCK a jail or penitentiary → 1967 Amer. dial.
► BIG SCHOOL a state or federal penitentiary → c1920 US criminals’ & tramps’ usage
► BIG YARD the main yard in a prison where the general population mingles for recreation → 1987 US sl.
► BIN prison → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► BING a prison cell used for solitary confinement of prisoners → 1975 US prison sl. (Bk.)
► BIRD-CAGE a compound for prisoners in WWII 
► BITCH SLAMMER a women’s prison → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► BLACK HOLE prison; a police cell → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BLACK MARIA the sweatbox, the solitary cell for confinement, used on the chain gangs to make recalcitrant prisoners behave → 1990 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► BLACK PETER a punishment cell in a prison, usually without light, where a prisoner is put in solitary confinement → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BLADHUNK a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BLOCK, THE 1. solitary confinement → 1970 UK prison sl. (Bk.)
2. prison → 1983 US sl.
3. a prison segregation unit → 1996 UK sl.
4. the punishment cells; the maximum security cells → 20C UK prison sl.
► BLOCKHOUSE a prison → 1624 sl.
► BLUE GOOSE the convict cage at a prison camp → 1927 Amer. dial.
► BOARDING-HOUSE a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BOAT a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BOIL-UP an illegal brewing of tea or some other hot beverage in one’s cell →  Aust. prison sl.
► BOOB, THE 1. prison → 1908 sl., orig. US
2. a prison cell → 1908 sl., orig. US
► BOOBY a cell, a lock-up; a prison → 1899 sl., orig. Aust.
► BOOBY HATCH, THE prison → 1859 US sl.
► BOWER a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BOX a prison cell; a lockup; hence, a jail, prison, or stockade → 1834 Amer. sl.
► BOXCAR a prison punishment cell → 1970s US criminals’ sl.
► BUSH GANG a prison work gang working without the traditional chains → 1987 Can sl.
► BUST-OUT a breakout; a jailbreak → 1930 US sl.
► BUTTFUCK MOTEL prison → 1990s US sl.
► CABBAGE-PATCH Kingston prison in Portsmouth → 1996 UK sl.
► CABIN a cell, as in a convent or prison → 1362 obs.
► CABOOSE a jail; a prison→ 1865 US sl.
► CADILLAC 1. the maximum amount which may be spent at a prison canteen → 1989 US sl.
2. a line used for transferring article, as a pack of cigarettes, from one cell to another → 1990s US prison sl.
3. a vacant cell → 1990s US prison sl.
4. an easy job within the prison → 1990s US prison sl.
5. a note-and-string based method of communication in prison → 2000 US sl.
► CADILLAC BUNK a single prison bed in a setting where most beds are two-tiered bunk beds → 1989 US sl.
► CAEMESS prison porridge → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► CAGE 1. a minor kind of prison for petty malefactors; a country lock-up → 1500 sl.
2. an exercise cage or yard → E19 UK prison sl.
► CAGE OF ANGER prison → 1980s African-Aerican sl.
► CAKE drugs smuggled into a prison or hospital → 1950s US drugs & prison sl.
► CAKE AND WINE bread and water as a punishment diet → 1920s US prison & Navy sl.
► CALABOOSE a prison cell; jail → 1981 US colloq. (Bk.)
► CALLIE a prison → 1919 US tramps’ sl.
► CAN a place of confinement; a prison; a cell → 1912 criminals’ sl., orig. US
► CANARY a convict’s yellow jacket → L19 sl.
► CANCELS prison bars, limits, bounds, confines → 1596 obs.
► CANISTER a prison → 1912 US prison sl. (Bk.)
► CAPERDEWSIE the stocks; prison → 1663 obs.
► CAPERDOCHY the stocks; prison → 1600 obs.
► CAPPADOCHIO a prison → 1607 cant
► CAR 1. a group of inmates who associate to run money-making schemes, dominate other prisoners, and otherwise ‘rule’ the institution → 1970s US prison sl.
2. a line used for transferring article, as a pack of cigarettes, from one cell to another → 1990s US prison sl.
3. a group of prisoners who pool their supply of drugs → 1990s US prison sl.
► CARCEL a jail or prison → 1840 Amer. dial.
► CARCELAGE prison fees → 1678 obs.
► CARCERATION imprisonment, incarceration → 1870
► CASTIEAU’S HOTEL a prison → M19 Aust. sl.
► CELL 13 a padded cell → 1896 Amer. sl.
► CHEQUER INN IN NEWGATE STREET Newgate prison → L18 sl.
► CHERRY FARM a prison, or the section of a prison reserved for first-time offenders → 1966 US sl.
► CHICK prison food → 20C Amer. criminals’ sl.
► CHICKEN COOP a women’s prison → 1940s US criminals’ sl.
► CHICKEN WALK an exercise yard → L19 UK prison sl.
► CHOAKEE ► CHOKEY ► CHOKY prison → 1873 Brit. sl.
► CHUMMAGE 1. a monetary forfeit, usually 2s 6d (12.5p), paid by a new prisoner to those who have already established themselves in the prison → L18 sl.
2. a sum of money paid by a rich prisoner to a poorer one, for which payment the latter forfeits his part of a shared cell, leaving it all to the rich prisoner and taking up a position in some communal area of the prison → L18 sl.
► CHUMMING UP the initiatory welcoming of a new prisoner, paid for by a mandatory fee of 2s 6d → M19 UK prison sl.
► CHUNKING throwing water or liquid matter on inmates or staff → 2000s US prison sl.
► CLINCH a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► CLINK a prison → E16 sl.
► COB-CASTLE any building which overtops those around it; usually applied to a prison → a1687satirical usage
► COLD STORAGE solitary confinement → 1949 US sl.
► COOLER, THE prison; also, a solitary confinement cell → 1872 sl., orig. US
► COOP a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► COP a sentence → 1930s sl.
► COPPER allowance for good conduct in prison → 1924 US convicts’ sl.
► COPPER JOHN a prison → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► COPPER TIME time off for good behaviour in prison → 1940s US criminals’ sl.
► COUNTRY CLUB a minimum security, comfortable prison generally reserved for corporate and banking criminals → 1960 US sl.
► COUNTY BLUES a blue prison uniform, worn in a county jail → 1990s U S prison sl.
► COURTESY FLUSH a mid-defecation flush of the toilet as a courtesy to others in a bathroom or other prisoners in the cell → 1996 US sl.
► CRUSH-OUT an escape from prison → 1974 Amer. criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► CUCUMBERS, THE in prison: Rule 43, which allows a prisoner to be kept apart from the main prison community for ‘safety of self or others’ → 2003 UK rhyming sl. for ‘numbers’
► DADDY TANK an area or cell set aside to provide protective custody for effeminate homosexuals → 1971 US prison sl.
► DAIRY drawing attention to oneself so as to allows a confederate to break prison rules unnoticed → 1910s UK prison sl.
► DAMPER solitary confinement, punishment cells → 1950s Amer. prison sl.
► DANCEHALL 1. the cell in which a prisoner is placed before being executed → 1928 US prison sl.
2. the execution chamber in a prison in which death sentences are executed → 1928 US sl.
► DANCEHOUSE a pre-execution cell; an execution chamber → 1939 US prison sl.
► DARBY’S FAIR the day on which a prisoner is moved from one prison to another and must thus be fettered → M19 sl.
► DARBY-ROLL a style of walking that betrays an individual’s experience of fetters and thus time spent in prison → c1820 sl.
► DARK CELL a prison punishment cell → 20C US criminals’ sl.
► DARK solitary confinement in a dark cell → 1900s Aust. prison sl.
► DARKS, THE the punishment cell, solitary confinement → M19 UK prison sl.
► DATE a prisoner’s expected date of release from prison → 1989 US sl.
► D.C. the Death Cell → 1990s US prison sl.
► DEAD LINE in prison: a line the crossing of which will bring gun fire from the guards → 1962 US sl.
► DEAD TIME 1. time served in jail which does not count towards fulfilment of the prisoner’s sentence → 1973 US sl.
2. any period of one’s prison sentence when one is prohibited from associating with other prisoners → 1970s US prison sl.
► DEADLOCK solitary confinement, forfeiture of privileges → 1930s US prison sl.
► DEATH HOUSE the execution chamber in a prison → 20C US sl.
► DEATH ROW the condemned cells → M19 US prison sl.
► DIMPS a small amount of money, tobacco, or other prison currency → 1996 UK sl.
► DISNEYLAND a prison with relaxed rules that ease the difficulty of serving a sentence → 1992 US sl.
► DOWNS a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► DOWNS, THE Tothill Fields prison → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► DRUM a cell → 1909 UK sl.
► DRY BATH a search of a prisoner who has been stripped naked → 1933 sl.
► DRY ROOM a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► DUCAT in prison: a written order given to a prisoner for an appointment → 1926 US sl.
► DUMMY, THE the punishment cell or block in a prison → 1880 NZ sl.
► DURANCE forced confinement, imprisonment; constraint → 1535
► EASY GO an unstrenuous prison job → 1983 US prison sl.
► EASY TIME an uneventful time in prison → 20C US criminals’ sl.
► EVERLASTING STAIRCASE the prison treadmill → M19 sl.
► EYES mirrors held through the bars of one’s cell and used to survey the outer world → 1992 US prison sl.
► FACTORY a prison; a women’s prison → 1806 Aust. sl.
► FAG FACTORY a prison, esp. one with a large homosexual population → 1992 US sl.
► FAMILY HOTEL a prison → c1840 colloq.
► FARM 1. a prison infirmary → 1879 sl.
2. a prison → 1900 US sl.
► FARRINGDON HOTEL the Fleet prison, in  Farringdon Road, London → M19 sl.
► FEDERAL JUG a federal prison → 2006 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► FILLET OF VEAL a prison → 1857 rhyming sl. on the ‘Steel’
► FIVES the fifth landing or floor level in a prison → 1996 UK sl.
► FLOATER a book, newspaper, etc. passed surreptitiously from prison cell to prison cell → 1933 Brit. sl.
► FLOATING ACADEMY a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► FLOATING HELL a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► FLOPHOUSE a prison → 1967 Amer. dial.  jocular usage
► FLOWERY (DELL) a prison cell → 1925 Brit. rhyming sl.
► FRESHWATER BAY the Fleet prison → E19 UK criminals’ sl.
► GAFF 1. a prison → L19 sl.
2. a prison cell → 1996 UK sl.
► GAL BLOCK a section of a prison reserved for blatantly homosexual prisoners → 1972 US sl.
► GALLERY THIRTEEN a prison burial ground → 1937 US sl.
► GAPPER a mirror; used to describe one used by prisoners to watch for approaching guards while the prisoners do something which they ought not to do → 1934 US prison sl.
► GARBAGE DUMP the California State Prison at San Quentin → 1992 US sl.
► GATE release from prison → 1966 US sl.
► GATE FEVER the anxiety suffered by prisoners as they approach their release date → 1958 UK sl.
► GATE MONEY the cash given to a prisoner upon release from prison → 1931 US sl.
► GEHENNA a place of torture; a prison → 1594
► GLASS HOUSE in prison: a detention cell or cells → 1996 UK sl.
► GLASS-HOUSE, THE a military prison → 1925 Brit. sl.
► GOLDFISH BOWL a jail’s interrogation room → 1962 US sl.
► GOLDFISHING the behaviour of visitors being shown around a prison → 1996 UK sl.
► GRAYBAR HOTEL a jail; a prison → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► GRAYSTONE COLLEGE a jail; a prison → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► GREEN AND FRIENDLY a prison-issue phone card → 1996 UK sl.
► HALF A SHEET a punishment for wardens, usually a fine → 1930s UK prison sl.
► HARD-ROCK CITY a prison → 1940s US sl.
► HARD-ROCK HOTEL a prison → 1940s US sl.
► HATCH a prison; a jail, a police station → 1912 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► HIGH POWER the maximum security section → 1940s US prison sl.
► HOBO CELL the iron cage in a prison for locking up minor offenders → 1900s US sl.
► HOLE, THE solitary confinement or a cell used for it → 1535 prison sl.
► HOOSEGOW, THE prison → M19 US sl.
► HOTEL DE JAIL a prison → 1889 sl.
► HOUSE OF MANY DOORS a prison → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► HOUSE OF WAX a prison → 1973 US sl.
► HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► HUNTING LICENSE an assignment given by a prison gang to kill someone → 1992 US sl.
► HUTCH a prison → 1956 US sl.
► ICE solitary confinement → 1970s US prison sl.
► ICEBOX 1. a solitary confinement cell → 1920s Can. & US prison sl.
2. a jail or prison → 1938 US sl.
► ICE BOX, THE the prison at Dannemora, New York → 1935 US criminals’ sl.
► IDIOT JUICE any alcoholic beverage brewed in prison, esp. a nutmeg/water mixture → 1974 US sl.
► IMMEDIATE an immediate release from prison → 1934 US prison sl.
► IMPRISON imprisonment → 1509 obs.
► INK-POT a jail, a prison dark-cell → 1925 US criminals’ sl. 
► IRISH THEATRE a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► IRON DOUBLET a prison → 1699 sl., obs.
► IRON HOUSE a prison; a jail → 1927 US criminals’ sl.
► IRON PARENTHESIS a prison → 1811 UK sl.
► ISO the isolation cells → 1934 US prison sl.
► JACK KETCH’S KITCHEN ‘a room in Newgate, where that honest fellow, the hangman, boiled the quarters of those executed and dismembered for high treason’ → 1714 sl.
► JAILERY confinement, imprisonment → 1825
► JERICHO a place of concealment or banishment; later, a prison → 1635 sl.
► JIGGER a prison or cell → 1812 sl.
► JOINT, THE prison → sl.
► JUDY the meal fed to a prisoner in solitary confinement → 1992 US sl.
► JUG a jail or prison → 1816 US sl.
► JUG AND PAIL a prison or jail → 1992 UK rhyming sl.
► JUGGING in prison: an attack with a jug of boiling sugared water → 2000 UK sl.
► KEEPING confinement, imprisonment; prison → 1382 obs.
► KING’S COLLEGE the King’s Bench prison → L18 sl.
► KING’S HEAD INN Newgate prison → L18 sl.
► KITE a letter or message smuggled into or out of prison → 1923 sl.
► KITE BOX a box used both for institutional correspondence and for passing on messages that accuse fellow inmates of illegal activity → 1990s US prison sl.
► KITTY a prison, a lock-up → 19C sl.
► KLONDIKE the punishment cells → 20C US prison sl.
► LAG a term of transportation or penal servitude → M18 US criminals’ sl.
► LAGGING DUES a sentence of penal servitude → L19 sl.
► LAGGING STATION a prison for long-term prisoners → 20C UK prison sl.
► LAKE an underground dungeon; a prison → 1382 obs.
► LAST MILE in prison: the walk from the death cell to the execution chamber → 1950 US sl.
► LIE-DOWN in prison: time spent in the segregation unit → 1996 UK sl.
► LIFEBOAT a pardon, esp. of a death sentence → 1908 Amer. prison sl.
► LIGHT TIME an uneventful time in prison → 1940s US criminals’ sl.
► LINE the area housing a prison’s general population → 1989 US sl.
► LITTLE EASE a prison cell too small to permit the person occupying it to assume a comfortable position → 1690 obs.
► LYING-HOUSE a prison → 1423 obs.
► MACGORREY’S HOTEL Chelmsford Prison, Essex → L19 sl.
► MADHOUSE a prison having brutal discipline → 1928 Amer. prison usage
► MAGPIE convict clothing (coloured yellow and black); hence, the convict who wears it → M19 Aust. & UK prison sl.
► MAINLINE the prison convict population, excluding those who are detained in punishment cells → 1930s US prison sl.
► MANDER a remand to prison, pending trial → M19 UK prison & criminals’ sl.
► MEDITATION solitary or segregated confinement → 1960s US prison sl.
► MILL a prison → 1851 sl.
► MOBY (DICK) prison → L19 rhyming sl. for ‘nick’
► MODEL, THE Pentonville prison, Caledonian Road, north London → M19 sl.
► MONKEY-CAGE a grated room from which a convict sees his relatives and friends → c1870 sl.
► MONKEY HOUSE a jail, prison stockade → 1982 US military sl.
► MOOR, THE Dartmoor prison → 1869 UK sl.
► MOOSH 1. a guardroom or cell; a military prison → 1917 sl.
2. prison food, esp. porridge → 1945 Aust. sl.
► MOVIES prison → 1970s US criminal sl.
► MUCK TRUCK in prison: a food trolley → 1996 UK sl.
► MUD CHECK a forced confrontation to see how brave a new inmate may be → 2000s US prison sl.
► MURDERERS’ ROW a row of prison cells in which condemned murderers or other violent criminals are held → 1871 police & prison sl., orig. & chiefly US
► MUSH 1. prison food, often porridge → L19 Aust. sl.
2. a guardroom or cell; a military prison → 1917 sl.
► NASK ► NASKIN a prison → 1674 cant
► NAVY-OFFICE the Fleet Prison → 1823 sl.
► NEWGATE 1. any prison → 1512 sl.
2. the prison for the City of London → 1592
► NEWMAN’S Newgate prison → 19C sl.
► NEWMAN’S COLLEGE Newgate prison → 19C sl.
► NEWMAN’S HOTEL Newgate prison → 19C sl.
► NEWMAN’S TEA-GARDENS Newgate prison → 19C sl.
► NICK a prison; a lock-up, esp. one at a police station → 1882 sl., orig. Aust.
► NIGGER-STICK a baton carried by policemen, prison warders, etc. → 1971 US sl., offensive
► NIP an escape from prison → 1956 sl.
► NONCE-BASHING violent attacks against rapists, child molesters, or sexual offenders, esp. inside a prison  → 20C Brit. & Aust. prison sl.
► NUT ALLEY the prison insane ward → 1935 US prison sl.
► OBS an observation wing of a prison → 1950s Aust. & US prison sl.
► OBSO an observation wing of a prison → 1950s Aust. & US prison sl.
► OKEY-DOKE a prison → 1959 US rhyming sl. for ‘pokey’
► OLD DOSS, THE 1. the Bridewell prison, sited on the banks of the Fleet River → 1823 criminals’ sl. obs.
2. The Toms, New York Prison → 1859 US sl.
► OLD NASK Bridewell prison, Totillfields, London → E19
► OLD SHOP a prison → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► OLD START, THE Newgate prison → L18 sl.
► OUT, THE the world outside prison → 20C US prison sl.
► OUTSIDE, THE the world out of prison → 1903 sl.
► PACKAGE a positive report on a prisoner → 1990s US prison sl.
► PAD ► PADS a prison cell → 1943 US criminals’ sl.
► PADDY a padded cell for mentally disturbed prisoners → 1940s UK prison sl.
► PAEDIE-PUMP a prison-issue training shoe worn by sex offenders → 2002 UK sl.
► PAL SQUAD a dog squad used for searching cells → 1980s Aust. prison sl.
► P AND Q solitary confinement in prison (peace and quiet) → 1982 US sl.
► PANOPTICON a prison of circular shape having cells built round and fully exposed towards a central ‘well’, whence the warders could at all times observes the prisoners → 1791
► PAPER proof that a prisoner is an informer → 2000s US prison sl.
► PAPERS in prison: a person’s background → 2000 US sl.
► PARK a prison → E19 sl.
► PARRY the Paremoremo maximum security prison → 1982 NZ sl.
► PATCH a cloth piece sewn on to a uniform in order to identify a prisoner as an escapee → 1958 Brit. sl.
► PEEK, THE in prison: the observation cell → 1950 UK sl.
► PEN prison → 1884 US sl.
► PETER a prison cell; a cell in a police station, etc. → 1890 sl., orig. Aust.
► PHONE in prison: the toilet bowl in a cell; when the bowl empties of water, it is possible to prisoners in other nearby cells using the pipes to carry the soundwaves → 1978 Aust. sl.
► PHONE CALL in prison: a remark that someone wants to talk to you → 1990 US sl.
► PHONECARD DEAL in prison: a trade that values a marijuana cigarette at one phonecard → 1996 UK sl.
► PIE WAGON a ship’s prison →  Amer. World War I sl.
► POKEY prison → L19 Aust. sl.
► POMPEY a prison → 1883 Eng. dial., obs.
► Q San Quentin prison, California → L19 US criminals’ sl.
► QUA a prison → L18 cant
► QUAD prison → a1700 sl.
► QUARTERN a prison → c975 obs.
► QUAY ► QUEE prison → M18 US criminals’ sl.
► QUEEN’S ROW an area in a prison reserved for blatantly homosexual prisoners → 1967 US sl.
► QUEER KEN a prison → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► QUEER PLACE a prison → 1920s sl.
► QUENTIN San Quentin prison, California → 1920s US prison & criminals’ sl.
► QUOD a prison → 1700 sl.
► RABBIT BLOOD a seemingly unstoppable urge to try to escape from prison → 1950 US sl.
► RABBIT FEVER the urge to try to escape from prison → 1962 US sl.
► RABBIT SEASON spring, when prisoners are inclined to try to escape → 1967 US sl.
► RACK a maximum security prison cell → 1982 US sl.
► RAGS clothing and insignia that indicate one’s membership of a prison gang → 1990s US criminals’ sl.
► RAILWAY STATION an ‘allocation’ prison from which prisoners are forwarded → 1999 UK sl.
► RALLY UP a prison riot → 1960s Aust. sl.
► RAMP a search of a prisoner or prison cell; conducted to search for contraband, though often carried out with much destruction in order to harass the prisoner → 1919 Aust. sl.
► RANGE the open area outside a row of cells → 1910s Can & US prison sl.
► RASHERHOUSE the Mountjoy women’s prison → 1990s Irish sl.
► RASP-HOUSE a prison; a house of correction → 1818 Sc. obs.
► RASPIN a prison → E19 sl.
► REESBIN a prison → 1903 tinker’s sl. (Bk.)
► RING a prison yard → 1898 obs.
► ROCK PILE prison → 1888 US sl.
► RUNAROUND an area of confinement that is outside the cells proper → 1900s US prison sl.
► SACK a sack of tobacco, used as prison ‘currency’ → 1910s US prison sl.
► SALT-BOXES the condemned cells in Newgate prison → 1812 sl.
► SAN Q San Quentin prison → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► SAN QUENTIN CROSS blackmail of one inmate by another, who desires homosexual favours → 1970s US prison sl.
► SATCHEL a prison → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► SCRUBS, THE Wormwood Scrubs prison, London → 20C UK police & criminals’ usage
► SHAKER WIRE a motion-detector system used for perimeter security in prisons → 1996 US sl.
► SHEBANG a prison cell → 1950 UK & US criminals’ sl.
► SHELF an isolation cell; a holding cell → 1935 US prison sl.
► SHERIFF’S BASKET a basket or tub placed outside a prison to receive charitable gifts for the prisoners → E17
► SHERIFF’S HOTEL a prison → L18 sl.
► SHERIFF’S TUB a basket or tub placed outside a prison to receive charitable gifts for the prisoners → E17
► SHITCAN the punishment cells → 1970s US prison sl.
► SHITTER a punishment cell → 1960s prison sl.
► SHOP a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► SHOWDOWN in prison: private time for sex → 1972 US sl.
► SIBERIA 1. Clinton prison, Dannemora, NY → 1930s US prison sl.
2. Sing Sing Penitentiary, New York → 1930s US prison sl.
3. the solitary confinement cells → 1930s US prison sl.
4. solitary confinement → 1984 US sl.
► SIN BIN in prison, a punishment cell or the punishment block → 1996 UK sl.
► SIXER a sixth term of imprisonment → 1872 sl.
► SKID-BID a term in prison or in juvenile detention → 1990s US prison sl.
► SKID ROW in prison: cells for troublesome prisoners → 1996 UK sl.
► SKOOKUM a prison; often preceded by ‘strong’ → L19 Can.
► SLAM, THE prison → 1960 US sl.
► SLAMMER, THE prison → 1952 sl., orig. US
► SLEEP a short term in prison → 1910s sl.
► SLOT a prison cell → c1950 prison sl.
► SNEEZER a jail or prison → 1953 US sl.
► SNITCHBALL any game played by prisoners in the protective unit reserved for informers → 1992 US sl.
► SNITCH BOX an in-house prison post box → 1992 US prison sl.
► SNITCH KITE a note sent by a prisoner to prison authorities, informing on other prisoners → 2000 US prison sl.
► SOLITARY solitary confinement → 1854 sl.
► SOUTH-GATE DISCHARGE an inmate’s death in prison → 1920s US prison sl.
► SPEEDING TICKET a rules violation notice for inappropriate behaviour in the visiting room → 2000s US prison sl.
► SPRING release or an escape from prison → 1901 sl., orig. US
► STAGE a period of imprisonment during which privileges are allowed → 1932 sl.
► STATE a state prison → 1991 US sl.
► STATE COLLEGE a state prison → 1949 US sl.
► STAY-OUT in prison: a confrontational tactic in which prisoners refuse to return to their cells → 1976 US sl.
► STEEL a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► STIFF a note surreptitiously passed in a prison → 1889 sl.
► STIR a prison or jail → 1851 US sl.
► STONE DOUBLET a prison → 1698 sl. obs.
► STONE FRIGATE a prison on land → Amer. World War I sl.
► STONE JACKET a prison → 1799 Amer.
► STONE-JUG a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► STRIPES a prison uniform → 1887 US sl.
► STRONGHOUSE a fortified or secure house; a fort, a castle; a prison → 1325
► STURIBEN ► STURRABIN a prison → 1891 thieves’ sl. (Bk.)
► SWISH TANK a holding cell in a jail where homosexual suspects and prisoners are kept → 1992 US sl.
► TAB 1. any form of prison documentation, esp. reports on prisoners that are submitted to the parole board → 20C US prison sl.
2. letters passed between inmates; a letter smuggled out of prison → 1930s US prison sl.
► TAG a letter smuggled out of prison → 1930s US prison sl.
► TAG PLANT a prison number plate manufacturing shop → 2000 US sl.
► TAG SHOP the area in a prison where number plates are manufactured → 1958 US sl.
► TALK AND WALK the practice of professing psychological improvement in a prison therapeutic setting to improve your chances of parole → 1971 US sl.
► TALLY HO rubber cement found in prison shoes, used as an inhalant → 2000s US prison sl.
► TANK 1. a holding cell → 1910s Can. & US prison sl.
2. a prison, a prison wing → 1950s Can. & US prison sl.
► TENT a prison cell → 1912 US prison sl. (Bk.)
► THIEVES’-HOLE a jail, prison, esp. a particularly bad dungeon reserved for thieves → 1631 Sc.
► TOLBOOTH a town prison, a jail → c1470 chiefly Sc.
► TOLL SHOP a prison → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► TOPPING SHED in prison: a place of execution → 1950 UK sl.
► TUB a sanitary bucket in a prison cell → 1984 Aust. prison sl. (Bk.)
► TUG the act of breaking someone out of prison → 1940s Irish sl.
► UGJAY a jail → 1930 US Pig Latin for ‘jug’
► UNDERGROUND KITE an illicit letter passed in prison → c1910 US prison sl.
► UNDERGROUND TUNNEL, THE the system by which contraband articles, such as whisky, drugs, etc. are brought into a prison → 1904 US prison sl.
► UNIVERSITY, THE any large London prison → 1770 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► UPSTATE prison → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► VACATION 1. the period a criminal spends out of prison → L19 sl.
2. time spent in prison → 1920s US sl.
► VACATION PLACE a jail or prison → 1970 Amer. dial.
► VILLE, THE Pentonville prison, London → 1920 sl.
► VIRTUE REWARDED prison → L19 sl.
► VIZZO in prison: a visit → 1996 UK sl.
► WALDORF-ASTORIA an especially spartan solitary confinement cell → 1976 US sl.
► WALK 1. a release from jail → 1965 US sl.
2. the regular patrol route of a prison warder → 1990s US prison sl.
► WALKING PAPERS an office notice to inform a prisoner that they have finished their sentence → 1960s US prison sl.
► WALL, THE a maximum security prison  → 2002 US sl.
► WALL CITY San Quentin prison, California → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► WARD 1. care or charge of a prisoner; the condition of being a prisoner; custody, imprisonment → c1290
2. a prison → 1338 obs.
► WARDHOUSE a guard-house for prisoners → 1590 Sc. obs.
► WARDING imprisonment → 1497 Sc.
► WARDING-PLACE a place of confinement for prisoners → 1573 Sc. obs.
► WHAM-WHAM in prison: store-bought snacks → 1981 US prison sl.
► WING-DING a fake fit, ‘thrown’ by a prisoner in the hope of convincing authorities that he should be placed the more comfortable surroundings of a mental ward → 1930s sl.
► WOODPILE the area in a prison yard where White prisoners exercise → 1989 US prison sl.
► WORKS, THE a convict establishment → c1870 prison sl.
► WRITE-UP a disciplinary report → 1920s US prison sl.
► WRITING a means of smuggling drugs in prison: a letter is soaked in some form of narcotized solution and the test of the letter makes it clear, with simple codes, that this has been done → 1930s US drugs & prison sl.
► X-ROW the area in a prison housing inmates condemned to death → 1992 US sl.
► YARD 1. the recreation area of a prison → 1930s US prison sl.
2. in prison, your cell → 1950 W. Indies and Black British sl.
► ZOO a prison, esp. if racially mixed → 1920s US criminals’ sl.
► ZUUZUUS AND WHAMWHAMS confectionery sold to the prisoners → 1960s US prison sl.