21 Common Slang names for Prisons used around the world

10 common slang names for prisons (or jail/prison in general) used around the world, starting with Nigeria USA UK 

1. Nigeria – Kirikiri
   Named after the famous Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Lagos. It is widely used as a shorthand or metonym for prison in general in Nigerian popular speech and media.
2. Jette Another Slang From Nigeria
3. United States / Global English – The Big House
   Classic American slang for a large prison or penitentiary.
4. United States – The Pen (short for penitentiary)
   Common informal term for prison, especially longer-term facilities.
5. United States / UK / Australia – The Joint
   Casual, widespread slang for prison.
6. United States / UK – The Slammer (or “the slam”)
   Popular informal term emphasizing being locked up.
7. United States / older English – The Clink
   Historic slang originating from the old Clink Prison in London; still used.
8. United States – The Pokey
   Light-hearted or older slang for jail/prison.
9. United States / Western slang – The Hoosegow (or hoosgow)
   Old-fashioned Western/American slang for jail.
10. United Kingdom / Australia – The Nick
    British and Australian slang for prison or police station cells (also “chokey” in some UK contexts for high-security).
11. United States / older slang – The Can (or “the cooler”)
    Informal terms for jail or prison; “cooler” especially for solitary or general lockup.

These terms vary by region, era, and context (some are more common in movies or older speech). Many originated in American or British English and spread globally through media. In other languages and countries, additional local slang exists (for example, “tronk” in Afrikaans/South Africa or “boma” in some Zimbabwean usage),

10 slang or informal names for prisons used in countries other than the USA and UK:

1. The Boob (Australia and New Zealand)
   Very common prison slang for jail or prison. Related terms include “boobslang” (prison jargon), “boobhead” (someone institutionalised or frequently in prison), and “boob gear” (prison clothing).
2. Tronk (South Africa)
   Widespread informal Afrikaans-derived term for prison or jail, used across English and Afrikaans speakers.
3. Boma (Zimbabwe)
   Local slang for prison.
4. Chokey (or Chowki) (India / South Asia, Indian English)
   From Hindi caukī (lock-up or shed). Used for a police lock-up, jail cell, or prison.
5. Taule (or Tôle) (France)
   Common French slang for prison.
6. Talego (Spain)
   Popular Spanish prison slang for jail or prison (also heard as “trullo” or “trena”).
7. Tumba (Argentina)
   Argentine prison slang for “cárcel” (prison). Part of the broader “tumbero” (prisoner) jargon.
8. Cana (Argentina and parts of Latin America)
   Often means police, but also used for jail/prison or being locked up (“estar en cana”).
9. The Pound (Australia / New Zealand)
   More specifically refers to solitary confinement, but used in the broader prison context.
10. Seabreeze Hotel (Australia – specific example of local colour)
    Nickname for Long Bay Gaol (Sydney), showing how particular prisons get ironic or humorous slang names.

These terms come from local argot, historical influences (e.g., colonial languages, Afrikaans, Hindi, Spanish, French), and prison subcultures. Usage can vary by region, generation, and whether the speaker is an inmate, officer, or outsider. Many other countries have their own informal words that do not always translate neatly into English slang.

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