jailhouse
Local detention facility
A jailhouse is a building where prisoners are held, especially a local or county facility rather than a large prison.
The word has a folksy, rural feel—you're more likely to hear it in a country song than a legal brief.
A jailhouse lawyer is an inmate who's learned enough law to help other prisoners with their cases.
Confined facility resident
- cellblockPrison housing unit
- wardenSupervisory custodian of place
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
convict · penitentiary · cellmate · bars · custody · correctional · felon · sentence
Basic unit of life
- bunkNonsense or stacked bed
- yardLinear measure or grounds
- cafeteriaSelf-service dining facility
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
commissary · payphone · shower · recreation · chapel · infirmary · laundry · dormitory
Protectors or watchmen
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
- watchtowerElevated structure for surveillance
- checkpointInspection station on route
perimeter · patrol · cameras · alarms · shakedown · headcount · contraband · shank
Formal review request
- writCourt-issued directive
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- bailCourt-set release payment
- trialJudicial examination of claims
charges · plea · sentencing · probation · grievance · rights · petition · docket
inmate
Confined facility resident
prisoner · convict · penitentiary · cellmate · bars · custody · correctional · felon · sentence · parole
cell
Basic unit of life
visitation · commissary · payphone · shower · recreation · chapel · infirmary · laundry · dormitory · intake
guards
Protectors or watchmen
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- lockdownEnforced restriction on movement
- watchtowerElevated structure for surveillance
checkpoint · perimeter · patrol · cameras · alarms · shakedown · headcount · contraband · shank · searchlight
appeal
Formal review request
- writCourt-issued directive
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- bailCourt-set release payment
trial · charges · plea · sentencing · probation · grievance · rights · petition · docket · hearing
blues
Mournful American music genre
snitch · shiv · hierarchy · reputation · survival · respect · initiation · code · loyalty · protection
fugitive
One fleeing authorities
flee · evasion · freedom · disguise · rope · ladder · accomplice · getaway · bolt · elude
jailhousefreedom
Absence of constraint
free world · open air · outside world · liberty · home
jailhouseprivate residence
free society · civilian life · halfway house · commune · retreat
jailhousehalfway house
Transitional residence for recovery
rehabilitation center · homeless shelter · sanctuary · retreat center · monastery
- Jailhouse RockSong about prison dancing
- jailhouse lawyerInmate self-taught in law