Apando: Punishment cell. Cabos de la fajina: The fajina capos or chiefs - see below for fajina. Cacharro: A pot. Chiva: Informer. La fajina: Forced labor, which also involves living in prison in the worst conditions, it is totally unconstitutional. The word was originally faena and was formerly used in Mexico to refer to extra work done by peones (semi-feudal laborers) on haciendas (feudal-type estates). Fajineros (faeneros): Prisoners who are forced to do la fajina, usually because they are too poor to pay their way out of it. Erizos: Literally, "urchins;" "street urchins," the very poor. Estafeta: Messenger. Ingreso: Reception. La lista: The list of prisoners read out each day by a jail warden - to avoid doing la fajina, the pagaderos pay him a sum of money when their names are read out. Manguerazo: Hose pipes. Mordida: Nor strictly a prison term, as it is used for all forms of bribery in Mexico. Padrino: "Godfather" - as in the book, "The Godfather," b Mario Puzo. Pagaderos: Those who pay the prison wardns to avoid doing forced labor, i.e., most of the prisoners. Pesos: The book was written before Mexico's currency was changed. In January, 1993, three 0s were eliminated. Thus, 400,000 pesos equivalent today to 400 pesos (a the current exchange rate at the end of 2002, this would be roughtly equivalent to 38 dollars). However, between November, 1992 and November, 2002, prices in Mexico quadrupled, so 10 years ago the true value of 400 pesos would be 4 times what it is today, i.e. about 1,600 pesos. PJDF: Policia Judicial del Distrito Federal. Mexico City's Police Department. Rancho: Your food ration in prison, made inside the prison, it is of the worst quality. Reclusorio Norte: Mexico City's Northern Penitentiary, situated in the far north of Mexico City, a very long trip for most residents. Also known as Reno. Renteo: A prison system in which a prisoner is blackmailed on pain of death. Salsa: In Mexico, salsa is a type of sauce, but here it refers to the dance that started in Cuba and became popular in Mexico during the 1970s/80s. Tio Mafias: Literally "Uncle Mafias," a powerful prisoner (and a known murderer) who had his own office in the prison and was responsible for the illegal weekly colleciton of money from the prisoners, supported and surrounded by his cabos de la fajina, the fajina chiefs. Zorros: Literally "foxes" - a militarized police corps set up in the 1980s, authorized to carry heavy arms, gernades, etc., noted for their violence and cruelty.