| Scuttlebutt | News, factual or rumor control. |
| Shake-down | A thorough search of an inmate and their living location. |
| Shank | Any crude, sharp weapon created from otherwise non-imposing objects. Shanks are created by the desperate for the purpose of stabbing, not bludgeoning. |
| Shorties | Little children or girlfriends of the younger inmates. |
| Smash | To act with purpose, to walk as if in a hurry. Eating a cookie, you smashed it. |
| Snitch | Noun or verb - tattle-tale; rat; To tell on somebody. |
| Solid | Something positive you did for an inmate (see good lookin' out). |
| Statement | Short for Statement of Charges. Documentation for a staff member's fi le showing a severe violation of the rules. Frequent Statements could result in dismissal. |
| Store | Canteen. |
| Tefl on-coated | Slick. Generally referring to an individual who gets away with enormous amounts of unlawful activity, having nothing stick to him. |
| Thorazine shuffle | Permanent muscle damage from long term use. |
| Ties | The important people who wear them. |
| Token | Inmate money for the pop machines. |
| Travel Order | Better known as a TO. Escorting an inmate outside of the facility for medical needs or a funeral. |
| TRD | Tentative Release Date. |
| TSCI | Tecumseh State Correctional Institution. |
| Vestibule | Enclosed area between external and internal doors to the housing unit. |
| Walked-on | When somebody else with a radio transmits at the same time as you do. |
| Where the Bodies are Buried | When you do not rat on somebody because they have plenty of dirt on you. |
| White Money | Real money from the outside, also known as scrilla, fetti, cheese, and dead presidents. |
| Whored-Out | When staff are sent to fi ll in at another post for somebody who did not make it to work because they are on vacation, or at training, or simply called in sick. |
| Window Licker | An inmate who stands at the window of their cell door all day watching the female guards. |
| Wreck | A surprise attack in response to provoking behavior. |
| Write-up | Misconduct Report (MR). |
About the author
A Native of Nebraska, Joey D. Ossian holds a Master's
Degree in Educational Administration from the University
of Nebraska. Following 10 years in education as a teacher
and administrator, Ossian settled in Southeast Nebraska,
where he is currently a caseworker at the Nebraska State
Penitentiary. Ossian and his wife have three children.
