Street
hustle
What does hustle mean?
Any income-generating activity a prisoner runs, from selling art or legal help to laundry, tattoos, or contraband.
"His hustle was drawing greeting cards for other guys' families."
Origin
General slang 'hustle' for an income-earning scheme.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'hustle' in prison?
It's any income-generating activity a prisoner runs inside, from selling art or legal help to laundry, tattoos, or contraband.
How is 'hustle' used?
It names an inmate's earning scheme, as in 'His hustle was drawing greeting cards for other guys' families.'
Is a prison hustle always illegal?
Not necessarily. It covers everything from legitimate services like drawing or laundry to rule-breaking activity like selling contraband. The word just means the way someone earns inside.
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