Street
mess
What does mess mean?
The dining hall or area where prisoners eat, though many now eat in their cells.
"They stopped us eating in the mess after the last riot."
Origin
From the military 'mess', a place where meals are taken communally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 'mess' in prison?
The communal dining hall or area where prisoners eat, though in many prisons inmates now eat in their cells instead.
Where does the word 'mess' come from?
From the military 'mess', the place where meals are taken communally, a usage carried over into prison life.
Do prisoners still eat in the mess?
Not always. Many prisons now have inmates collect food and eat in their cells, and communal dining can be restricted after disturbances.
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