Bang up

Perhaps exclusively used in Great Britain.

Refers to the period in which a prison inmate is confined to their cell, such as during nighttime hours.

Can also be used for a more specific personal restriction of movement - e.g: solitary confinement.

Often used by former inmates outside of the context of prison to refer to a curfew or restriction of movement in a residence. For example, a hostel for vulnerably housed people might apply a curfew at 9pm, which may appear to draw a parallel with the prison curfew system.

When used by someone outside of the prison system, it can far more generally refer to any time spent in prison at all.

“Meet me tomorrow, first thing after bang up!”

“What time is bang up?”

“Feels good to be back on the wing. I had 3 days in bang up.”

“It’s just like prison in that YMCA hostel mate. They have bang up at 9pm - every night of the week! Can’t stand it.”

“He’s been a month on the out now, but before that he was banged up for a year.”

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