Street
debt
What does debt mean?
Money, tobacco or drugs owed to another prisoner; unpaid debts frequently lead to violence.
"He got jugged over a spice debt."
Origin
Standard word 'debt', but a central and dangerous feature of the prison economy.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 'debt' significant in prison slang?
Though an ordinary word, debt is a central and dangerous feature of the prison economy. Money, tobacco or drugs owed to another prisoner can quickly lead to violence when unpaid.
What kinds of debt exist inside?
Debts inside are usually in canteen, tobacco or drugs such as spice, rather than ordinary cash, and they carry heavy pressure to be repaid.
What happens if a prison debt is not paid?
Unpaid debts frequently trigger violence, from assaults to being 'jugged', which is why debt is treated so seriously inside.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
