North Carolina Correctional Officer State Practice Exam

In prison terminology, who does a "soldier" work for?

1. The prison warden

2. The inmates' head guy, usually a shot caller

3. Fellow inmates regardless of rank

4. A gang leader

The correct answer is: The inmates' head guy, usually a shot caller

In prison terminology, a "soldier" typically refers to a member of a gang who is tasked with carrying out the orders of higher-ranking members within that gang, often referred to as a shot caller. The role of a soldier is to enforce the gang's rules, protect the gang's interests, and sometimes to conduct illicit activities on behalf of the gang. This dynamic highlights the hierarchical structure within prison gangs, where soldiers operate under the direction of the leadership to maintain control and power in the prison environment. While there may be other figures present in a prison's social structure, such as the prison warden or gang leaders, a soldier specifically aligns with the orders and needs of the inmates' head guy or shot caller rather than with the broader prison administration or other inmates without regard for rank. This distinction helps clarify the soldier's primary loyalty and their role within the complex ecosystem of prison life.