Federal Prison Lingo - A Complete Guide

Article 2 of 8 in the Survivng Federal Priison series

Federal Prison Lingo Decoded: How to Speak the Language Behind the Fence

When I first entered the BOP and during transit is when I started noticing people talking differently. I'm not talking about accents like east coast or down south. Everyone was saying things I didn't understand. This article is a cheat sheet to understanding what they're saying. Just ask a former prisoner now Deputy Director of Bureau Of Prisons. Even he had to learn it when he served the 5 years for drug conspiracy.

As I said in what to expect in Federal Prison 101, behind the wall is an entire economy. That economy is powered by a community of inmates. Like any community, it’s got its own slang, rules, and codes. NONE of it will show up in orientation. But if you don’t learn it, you’re lost before you even find your bunk.

In this guide I will break down real prison lingo, from everyday slang to the quiet phrases that can mean the difference between safety and a first fight.

Why Prison Slang Matters

Inside, language inside is tied to survival. It signals what you know, who you trust, and how you move. If you look or sound “green”, people will try to take advantage of that. If you hear people talking but you don't understand what they're saying then your out of the loop…

These are the basics to understanding your environment so you can respond correctly. Information can be the difference between avoiding a soon to be stabbing in the chow hall or loaning a guy some money who is about to get ran up. Fights and inmate deaths in federal prison are real. So learn these and be a step ahead of all other newbies.

Knowing the right words:

• Keeps you from looking green (aka brand new)

• Helps you avoid disrespect or misunderstandings

• Builds trust with the people you need to live with

• Lets you read between the lines — where most things actually happen

The Federal Prison Dictionary

Here’s a glossary of must-know prison terms, broken down into real categories so it’s not just a list — it’s a crash course I wish I had years ago.

Everyday Life Words

• Chow: Mealtime or the dining hall

• R&D: Receiving and Deliveries.(where mail, property and you come in and leave the facility)

• Bunkie/celly: Your cellmate

• Store: Commissary

• HH / HC: Halfway house & Home Confinement

• Count: Mandatory headcount — usually multiple times a day

• Call-Out: A formal notification inside TRULINCS that tells you where to go (medical, program, etc.)

• Burnt Out: Some who's becoming institutionalized

• Yard: A prison or facility

• Politics: "drama" between 2 cars that udially becomes a issue.

• SHU: The Hole, seg, solitary confinement

• Copout: Formal or informal written letter to staff.

• Clemency: Post-Sentence relief

• Fact: This blog is just the tip of the iceberg... Our Discord is where we keep the good stuff 🤐

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Safety + Respect

• Car: A racial/social group you roll with (e.g., "he runs with the Texas car")

• Shot: A disciplinary write-up (don’t catch one if you can help it)

• Dry snitching: Telling without telling — even hinting can be dangerous

• Check-in: Voluntarily leave a yard because of drama, safety, or pressure by going to SHU

• Hot: A person who is snitching, untrustworthy or on the officers radar.

• Crash out: Get violent (fight, holler, escalate)

• Ran Up: A car jumping a person

  
  

• Finesse: Get over on someone in a not good way

  
  

ℹ️ READ: 7-Ways To Support a Loved One In Prison

Hustles + Commissary

• Stamps: The real currency (forever stamps, not money)

• Bump: To overcharge or rip someone off

• Ticket: Sports betting pool

• Jack: A cell phone

• Store man: Someone who sells commissary items with interest

Charges + Labels

• Chomo: Inmate with sex offense charges (often targeted)

• Paperwork check: When others demand proof of your charges — usually on day one

• Bugged out: Someone with untreated mental health issues

  
  

• Drop Out Yard: A yard that holds chomos and snitches

• Car: Group of people who you belong to

There are a ton of things we didn't cover such as FTC's and many other things that will help. We can't possibly cover everything... But the good news is we have built a database of resources and info in our Discord. It's FREE to download and join.

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Prison Lingo in Action

“He’s tryna finesse them soups.”

(Translation: He’s overcharging for commissary items.)

“He checked in last week — caught a shot over it.”

(Translation: He went to the hole voluntarily after getting in trouble.)

"Bro is hot, they are about to run him up"

(Translation: He snitched on someone. His car is about to beat him up in front of everyone and send him to another yard.)

ℹ️ Read: First Step Act - What You Need To Know

Quick Survival Tips for Inmates

1. Don’t fake it. People spot a poser fast.

1. Ask quietly. If you don’t know a term, ask a trusted peer — not the loudest guy.

1. Keep it respectful. Slang has its place, but tone matters more.

1. Listen more than you speak. Especially in your first few weeks.

And yes, if you're writing letters to someone inside, try to learn a few terms. It shows you're paying attention and can build connection. Even the current Deputy Director of the BOP had to learn the Lingo when he was serving his 5 years for drug conspiracy

Want the full breakdown on what to expect your first day?

ℹ️ Read: Federal Prison - A New Inmates Guide