Prison jargon

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The prison environment can be disorienting for visitors at first and to complicate matters it, like medicine, has its own distinct language.  Here is a simple guide to deciphering some of it; it may be biased towards the Juvenile Estate, so if there are any other phrases you think are missing please let me know.

2052SH  A Prison Service form which is filled out (‘opened’) when an individual is deemed to be at risk of suicide.  An inmate on an open 2052SH is regularly monitored.  A replacement for the 2052SH is being trialled, called ACCT
Links: Self harm (HMPS, 2006)

ACCT  Assessment and Care in Custody Teamwork.  ACCT is a new form designed to replace the 2052SH

Advocates  Independent individuals who can act on behalf of and in consultation with inmates to have their voice heard

App/Application  A form which is filled in on the wings by an inmate to request health care

Association  Time when inmates can socialise with each other

Burn  Tobacco

C&R  Control and restraint, a system of physical restraint used by prison officers to restrain inmates if necessary

Canteen   A list of items including food, cigarettes, toiletries, etc. from which inmates can buy items each week

CAFMHT   Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Team

Governor   A senior prison officer grade (Governing governor = the most senior in the prison)

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP)   Acts as an independent monitor of conditions in prisons.  The Chief Inspector (HMCIP) is appointed by the Home Secretary.  HMIP regularly visits all prisons and produces comprehensive reports on the conditions at each one

HMP/HMYOI   Her Majesty’s Prison/Young Offenders’ Institution

IMB   Independent Monitoring Boards, an independent organisation which acts as a ‘watchdog’ in prisons and provides an advocacy role for inmates

IMR  Inmate Medical Record, the standard medical record held about a prisoner

In possession   Medication which prisoners are allowed on their person.  Medication not allowed in possession usually pose a threat to safety if taken in overdose, or can be used as a form of currency

Induction   Programme of classes and activities during first few weeks in prison

Juvenile Estate   All secure accommodation for juveniles in the UK, including YOIs

Lock down   The process of locking inmates in their cells, either as part of the daily routine or if an incident (e.g. a fight) is taking place

PEI  Physical Education Instructor

Privileges   System to reward good behaviour and punish poor behaviour of inmates, e.g. by granting or refusing the right to a television in their cell

Purposeful activity   Time during the inmates’ day used for approved activity.  Acts as a performance target for the Prison Service

Reception  Arriving at prison from outside, e.g. from court or another prison

Resettlement   Process of preparing an inmate for returning to the community after release

Safer Custody Officer   A senior prison officer responsible for co-ordinating anti-bullying efforts, the use of 2052SH, and suicide prevention in the juvenile estate

Secure accommodation  Locked up!

SOTP  Sex Offender Treatment Programme

Trainee  An inmate/prisoner in a Young Offenders Institution. More recently referred to simply as a 'young person'

Wing   A group of cells, usually in a discrete geographic area.  For example, in Huntercombe each wing holds 60 Trainees

Wing officer  A prison officer present on the wings

YJB   Youth Justice Board, a governmental organisation which aims to reduce youth offending by commissioning research and advising the Home Secretary

YOI  See HMYOI

YOT (pronounced as ‘yacht’)   Youth Offending Team, a community team that serves as a point of contact and continuity for the Trainee from being sentenced at court, throughout their sentence and after release.  A member of the team is a YOT worker

Another useful source of jargon is the Crime Info site.