What is a group of prisoners called?

The collective noun "pity" was first used on 15th century lists of proper terms, and it then referred to a group of prisoners. It showed up in print in books purporting to provide the a collective noun for people locked up in jail or a prison camp. Basically, books were the place where the word showed up. It appeared in the Book of St. Albans attributed to Dame Juliana Barnes (1486). It was also used as a humorous term and probably had no real significance. Some antiquarian writers used it in their works to allude to a class of playable characters mostly found in dark dungeons.

Often key characters in some of the written material would look down with pity and compassion upon the sufferings of the men in jail, prison, or a harsh dungeon.

More Info: en.oxforddictionaries.com

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

56 Comments

budderdudder

Actually, here in Salinas, CA., the County Jails house their prisoners in PODS! I know this because I was in Q POD with 30 other misdemeanor inmates for a DUI years ago. PODS are lettered and are delegated to severity of the offences. (Men's and Women's) I recall a handful of felons were housed in POD U, so when new felons would arrive to housing, or transfer out, they would pass by our POD. I am a woman and I saw many women murderers, to my surprise. That was 2010. By the way, I did 20 days, chose not to waste $500.00.on bail, got out of jail and got sober! To this Day!!

budderdudder

P.S. I feel robbed of my points, obviously I chose POD, but, it was worth sharing my experience. Might sink in to someone in a positive way!

Christopher Skinner

Called a POD in Australia, for 'Place of detention"

Yvette Mcleod

I had no idea so I picked a horde. Looks like the most popular answer was the pod but a pod is where the prisoners sleep not what you call the prisoners. Oh well A Pity it is.

m carter m

Kinda lame,..... Aside from being a member of this. Or that gang,, There's no real name for a group of inmates or cons, even in cheesy Hollywood flicks back in the day there wasn't even a slang word. There's mods, and pods ,,,, related to individual units in buildings or whatever. I don't know quiz club, I don't know

David Reed

In modern terms it's pod, if you ever wore a badge you would know that.

Kath Thomson

Good on you budderbudder. My father was killed by a drunk driver who was well known for his excessive drinking at the local pub then driving home. He asked my mother what he could do for her and she told him to stop drinking, and he hasn't had another drop! Pity he didn't do it before he killed someone.

Chris Braid

Remembered that from school, many, many years ago.

David de Tremaudan

This is definitely not true! I have worked in the criminal Justice system/corrections since 1985 and know for sure that inmates are referred to as a pod or range. In all the years of my involvement, they have never been referred to as a pity. first off, its condescending and demeaning. secondly, it would indicate that we, as the legal authority sympathize more with the perpetrators than the victims of their crimes and misdeeds.

Gene Weidt Hofmann

Thought it was a pity that they were in jail. I got it right

Jim Hochstetler

Yet another grossly misleading question.

Fred Keogh

Never heard of them being called this. As for POD, the question clearly asks what a group of prisoners is called, NOT where they are housed! I got it right because of the meaning of the word PITY

Ruth Shubert

budderdudder, I was trying too hit the like button but phone is so small, I accidentally hit dislike. Very cool story too share with us, I too picked POD as a former 20 day guest at the housing unit here in Georgia 😂😂