Prison is its own world.
Prison is its own world.
Prison is its own world.
Before I worked for British Columbia (BC) Corrections, I knew very little about the internal functionings of provincial prisons in my own backyard. This mysterious, out of sight out of mind experience is no accident. We created places at the outskirts for those we deem not worthy or capable of participating with us. Like any place we travel, prison has a unique culture and language that can only be understood if you’ve been inside, either incarcerated or as prison staff.
What makes prison language unique is its secrecy. This intentional blend of slang, code, and everyday terms is essential to daily life—for both those in custody and the staff. The former use it to conceal routines and habits, while the latter decode that language and create their own euphemisms to soften the realities of their work.
I created this glossary as a guide to help explain this often hidden world, specifically language used in BC provincial correctional centres. It is a valuable tool for lawyers, advocates, researchers, and families seeking to better understand life inside. My examples come directly from my experience as an independent correctional decision-maker presiding over disciplinary proceedings, when prisoners were accused of wrongdoing inside the institution. While names and personal details are altered, the examples reflect real life occurrences.
The words cover all aspects of prison life, from everyday items to hidden dealings and complex interactions. Prison language is constantly changing, with terms varying by institution or region, and new terms emerge all the time. Many terms reflect the tough realities and sometimes violence of prison life.
This collection is for informational purposes only. It does not seek to support or condemn the behaviours described, but rather serve as a historical record—a written account of the culture, routines, and expressions of a population whose lives often go unseen and unrecorded due to incarceration. Reader discretion is advised, since some of this language may be sensitive or upsetting to some readers.
Terms are listed in alphabetical order with short definitions and examples from disciplinary hearings. I hope this glossary clarifies this language, fostering better understanding and communication for anyone dealing with these institutions.
Before I worked for British Columbia (BC) Corrections, I knew very little about the internal functionings of provincial prisons in my own backyard. This mysterious, out of sight out of mind experience is no accident. We created places at the outskirts for those we deem not worthy or capable of participating with us. Like any place we travel, prison has a unique culture and language that can only be understood if you’ve been inside, either incarcerated or as prison staff.
What makes prison language unique is its secrecy. This intentional blend of slang, code, and everyday terms is essential to daily life—for both those in custody and the staff. The former use it to conceal routines and habits, while the latter decode that language and create their own euphemisms to soften the realities of their work.
I created this glossary as a guide to help explain this often hidden world, specifically language used in BC provincial correctional centres. It is a valuable tool for lawyers, advocates, researchers, and families seeking to better understand life inside. My examples come directly from my experience as an independent correctional decision-maker presiding over disciplinary proceedings, when prisoners were accused of wrongdoing inside the institution. While names and personal details are altered, the examples reflect real life occurrences.
The words cover all aspects of prison life, from everyday items to hidden dealings and complex interactions. Prison language is constantly changing, with terms varying by institution or region, and new terms emerge all the time. Many terms reflect the tough realities and sometimes violence of prison life.
This collection is for informational purposes only. It does not seek to support or condemn the behaviours described, but rather serve as a historical record—a written account of the culture, routines, and expressions of a population whose lives often go unseen and unrecorded due to incarceration. Reader discretion is advised, since some of this language may be sensitive or upsetting to some readers.
Terms are listed in alphabetical order with short definitions and examples from disciplinary hearings. I hope this glossary clarifies this language, fostering better understanding and communication for anyone dealing with these institutions.
Before I worked for British Columbia (BC) Corrections, I knew very little about the internal functionings of provincial prisons in my own backyard. This mysterious, out of sight out of mind experience is no accident. We created places at the outskirts for those we deem not worthy or capable of participating with us. Like any place we travel, prison has a unique culture and language that can only be understood if you’ve been inside, either incarcerated or as prison staff.
What makes prison language unique is its secrecy. This intentional blend of slang, code, and everyday terms is essential to daily life—for both those in custody and the staff. The former use it to conceal routines and habits, while the latter decode that language and create their own euphemisms to soften the realities of their work.
I created this glossary as a guide to help explain this often hidden world, specifically language used in BC provincial correctional centres. It is a valuable tool for lawyers, advocates, researchers, and families seeking to better understand life inside. My examples come directly from my experience as an independent correctional decision-maker presiding over disciplinary proceedings, when prisoners were accused of wrongdoing inside the institution. While names and personal details are altered, the examples reflect real life occurrences.
The words cover all aspects of prison life, from everyday items to hidden dealings and complex interactions. Prison language is constantly changing, with terms varying by institution or region, and new terms emerge all the time. Many terms reflect the tough realities and sometimes violence of prison life.
This collection is for informational purposes only. It does not seek to support or condemn the behaviours described, but rather serve as a historical record—a written account of the culture, routines, and expressions of a population whose lives often go unseen and unrecorded due to incarceration. Reader discretion is advised, since some of this language may be sensitive or upsetting to some readers.
Terms are listed in alphabetical order with short definitions and examples from disciplinary hearings. I hope this glossary clarifies this language, fostering better understanding and communication for anyone dealing with these institutions.
Meet Harpreet
Meet Harpreet
Meet Harpreet
Harpreet Ahuja is a lawyer and human rights consultant based in Vancouver. From 2021 to 2023, she was one of the first four external independent decision-makers who presided over disciplinary proceedings in provincial correctional centres in British Columbia, when prisoners were accused of wrongdoing inside the institution. Her passion is to demystify and create awareness about incarceration. Through this work, she intends to bridge the divide between the people outside and those who find themselves inside–behind bars.
Harpreet Ahuja is a lawyer and human rights consultant based in Vancouver. From 2021 to 2023, she was one of the first four external independent decision-makers who presided over disciplinary proceedings in provincial correctional centres in British Columbia, when prisoners were accused of wrongdoing inside the institution. Her passion is to demystify and create awareness about incarceration. Through this work, she intends to bridge the divide between the people outside and those who find themselves inside–behind bars.
