9781422280027

An inmate is separated from the world by a chain link fence and concertina wire.

Prisoners find out quickly that the main dividing line in the insti- tution is race. Black prisoners stay withblacks,whitesstaywithwhites, andHispanics staywithHispanics. If one strays into the other’s turf, especially in facilities with very violent criminals, hemaybebeaten, raped, or killed.

America’s Elderly Prisoner Boom

A California program enlists younger inmates to care for elderly ones.

Prison Terms

While slang varies from prison to prison, here is some common jargon used among inmates in American penitentiaries: Ace boon coon: A prisoner’s best buddy. All day: A life sentence. Fresh fish: New prisoners. Badge: A prison guard. Bug: An insane person who annoys other prisoners. Catnap: A short prison term. Snitch: A prisoner who tells the guards information on other prisoners.

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The Treatment of Prisoners and Prison Conditions