prison culture
Behind-bars norms
Prison culture encompasses the social norms, hierarchies, slang, and survival strategies that develop among incarcerated populations.
It includes unwritten rules about respect, loyalty, and racial segregation, as well as distinctive practices around commissary trading, gang affiliation, and dispute resolution.
The term extends to how these patterns influence behavior after release: He never shook off the prison culture mentality.
Elements of prison culture—certain tattoos, speech patterns, workout routines—sometimes filter into broader popular culture.
- solitary confinementIsolated imprisonment in cell
- protective custodyConfinement for someone's safety
- cell blockPrison housing unit
- tattoosPermanent skin markings
- gangsOrganized criminal groups
institutionalization · alliances · shot caller · code of silence · loyalty · convict · coded messages · argot · contraband trade · hand signals · coping mechanisms · symbolic gestures · rituals · disciplinary measures · surveillance systems · rec · self-preservation · fish out of water
- UnderworldHades, Tartarus, netherworld, Sheol, Styx
- prison mental healthmental health screening, psych evaluation, suicide prevention, suicide watch, mental illness
prison culturefree society
Polity guaranteeing personal liberties
civilian life · open society · street life · liberty · community living
prison culturevoluntary association
Group joined by choice
prison cultureadministrative procedures
Formal steps in organizations