What do they call food in jail?

Asked by: Miss Betty Ryan  |  Last update: March 4, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (42 votes)

CHOW: A prison meal.

What is the food called in jail?

A spread is a prison meal made by inmates. Spreads are often made with commissary ingredients, such as instant ramen and corn puffs. Spreads can be simple meals, or elaborate and inventive combinations of ingredients.

What is it called when you buy food in jail?

A prison commissary or canteen is a store within a correctional facility, from which inmates may purchase products such as hygiene items, snacks, writing instruments, etc.

Why is jail food called chow?

“Every prison that uses it has its own recipe, although California, New York, and several other states have banned it as inhumane.” (In the same vein, guards refer to meals as chow to make the act of eating sound degrading.)

What are slang words for jail?

“Hoosegow, mainline joint, skinner joint, stoney lonesome, con college, glasshouse, bucket, club fed, greybar hotel, big house, slammer, calaboose, castle, cooler, country club, crowbar hotel, digger, farm, guardhouse, hole, joint, jug, juvie, pen, pokey, rock, sneezer, stockade, the clink.”

A Day’s Worth of Prison Food

26 related questions found

What are 5 slang words?

American Slang
  • ASAP - "As Soon As Possible." A task you should complete immediately.
  • At One's Fingertips - Easily recalled or available.
  • Bar - A place where alcoholic beverages are served.
  • Big Deal - Anything important or exciting.
  • Blown Away - To be really surprised or shocked about something.

What does DP mean in jail?

DP ...............................Disorderly Person.

What is a prisoners last meal called?

In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before execution and use the euphemism "special meal".

Is chow slang for food?

The word chow is an informal way to say "food" or "meal." Someone happily gobbling tacos might say, "I just love Mexican chow," or your dad might open up a pizza delivery box and yell, "Time for chow, everybody!" Chow is an American English word that originated in California around 1856, from the Chinese pidgin English ...

What is chow time in jail?

Chow Time: Breakfast rolls out between 6:30 and 7:30 AM. Inmates shuffle into the chow hall, cafeteria-style, grabbing whatever's on the menu that day. Don't expect a gourmet meal—it's basic, but it gets the job done. Once they've fueled up, it's back to the units to gear up for the day's grind.

What is the slang for food in jail?

CHOW: A prison meal.

What is a canteen in jail?

Inmate Canteen: The Prison Commissary

While also known as a jail canteen, prison commissary, and other terms, this is where inmates can purchase authorized items. The inmate canteen is either a stand-alone building or part of a building where inmates shop once a week or once a month.

Can you smoke in jail?

On the other hand, correctional facilities in California, Kansas, Vermont, and Utah are smoke-free. In California and Vermont, however, smoking is allowed in prison yards. In many States, such as Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan, smoking policies are left to the discretion of institution supervisors.

What can inmates buy in jail?

Inmates can buy clothing, food, and personal hygiene products with the funds they have in their inmate accounts. Commissary orders are placed through an automated system via the inmate telephone and commissary items are delivered weekly.

What is it called when prisoners refuse to eat?

Hunger Strike

In the most extreme circumstances, a court order may be sought authorizing forced food ingestion. During the hunger strike, any inmate refusing to eat or drink shall have three (3) meals per day presented to them and must be allowed to refuse or accept each individual meal.

What time do inmates eat breakfast?

The timing of breakfast in prison can vary but is typically served early in the morning, often around 6:00 to 7:00 AM. However, schedules can differ between correctional facilities and may be influenced by factors like security routines and facility policies.

Why do marines call food chow?

This likely stems from the days of clipper ships making runs to and from China in the 19th century. Nowadays, it's a general naval and military term for food of any sort (or at least what passes for food in the service). Any resemblance to actual food is purely coincidental.

What does chow stand for?

Change of Ownership (CHOW)

What is the last night food called?

Supper – light meal eaten in the late evening; as early as 7pm or as late as midnight.

What do inmates eat?

In U.S. federal prisons, breakfasts usually consist of a Danish pastry, hot or cold cereal, and milk. The other two meals of the day include foods such as chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, lasagna, burritos, tacos, and fish patties.

What are prisoners called now?

Convicts are prisoners that are incarcerated under the legal system. In the United States, a federal inmate or a felon, is a person convicted of violating federal law, who is then incarcerated at a federal prison that exclusively houses similar criminals. The term most often applies to those convicted of a felony.

What does P mean in jail?

P. Parole. The supervised release of a prison inmate after part of the inmate's prison sentence has been completed.

What does Cod mean in jail?

What are COD messages? If an inmate does not have any credits, they may still send a message to you and request that you pay COD (credit on delivery) to open the message. The system will ask if you want to pay one of your message credits to open and read the message.

What does BF stand for in jail?

BF - Bond forfeiture. BF-SOL - Bond forfeiture & SOL (case is dismissed) BFW - Bond forfeiture warrant.