Street
blues
What does blues mean?
The standard-issue inmate uniform, blue in many state systems. Also 'greens' or 'states' depending on the institution's color.
"Fresh out of intake, still in his blues."
Origin
From the color of the issued uniform.
Frequently asked questions
What are 'blues' in prison?
They're the standard-issue inmate uniform, which is blue in many state systems. Depending on the institution's color, the same idea is called 'greens' or 'states.'
How is 'blues' used?
It refers to wearing the issued uniform, as in 'Fresh out of intake, still in his blues.'
Where does the term come from?
It's simply named for the color of the issued uniform, so systems with different colors use different words.
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