Street
ghosted
What does ghosted mean?
To be transferred to another prison without warning, often to break up trouble or remove a difficult prisoner.
"He was a ringleader so they ghosted him overnight."
Origin
From vanishing like a 'ghost' — being spirited away without notice.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'ghosted' mean in prison?
It means being suddenly and secretly transferred to another prison without warning, usually to break up trouble or remove a difficult prisoner.
Why do prisons ghost inmates?
To disrupt ringleaders or troublemakers by moving them overnight before they can organise or resist the move.
Is this the same as being 'ghosted' by a partner?
No. The prison sense means being spirited away to another jail; the dating sense means someone cutting off contact. Both draw on the idea of vanishing like a ghost.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
