| Babes Behind Bars
The name of the telephone sex-line launched by Yvonne (s3ep8). The Julies, Denny, Shell, and Yvonne herself provided the service to pervy punters.
Baby Screw
The nickname given to a trainee PO.
Bada, Femi
 A Nigerian drugs mule who was sentenced to a seven years for smuggling. The poor treatment Femi suffered at the hands of G-Wing’s POs inspired the inmates to stage a sit-down protest that turned into a full-scale riot (s3ep11 – 12).
Bail
Under current law, a defendant has the right to bail unless there is sufficient reason not to grant it, such as: concern the defendant (1) will abscond; (2) will commit further offences; or (3) will interfere with witnesses. Conditions may be applied to the grant of bail, such as living at a particular address, or paying an amount into court. The alternative to being granted bail is being remanded into custody.
After she was charged with Fenner’s murder, Di’s bail was set at £50,000. Unable to raise such a large sum of money, she was remanded into custody (s7ep12).
Ball Gown
 Worn by Hollamby at her 30th wedding anniversary party (s2ep13). This particular item of couture was a fetching combination of electric blue and shocking pink that made the old Bodybag look like a deformed fairy.
Ballroom Dancing
Just goes to show that appearances can be deceptive. You’d never guess by the way Hollamby lumbers around G-Wing like a wounded hippopotamus that she’s actually a champion ballroom dancer, partnered of course by her late lamented husband, Bobby.
Bangers and Mash
The British colloquial name for sausages (bangers) served with mashed potato. This was the dish enjoyed by Crystal and Josh during their candle-lit dinner in the laundry room (s2ep4), and was also the first food to pass Crystal’s lips when she abandoned her hunger strike (s3ep10).
Bank Statements
Karen insisted on going through Fenner’s bank statements when she became suspicious about the huge amounts of cash he’d been spending on, amongst other things, an ostentatious sapphire engagement ring (s4ep1). Yvonne had accused him of raking in cash from Virginia’s brothels, but Karen was unable to find any proof.
Barker, Di
 G-Wing PO, also known by the fans as Di Barking because she’s a couple of cans short of a six-pack! To date, she has stalked Dominic, Josh, Mark, Neil, and Colin, sometimes going as far as building macabre shrines to them in her bedroom. Love is definitely blind when you’re desperate, something Fenner used to his advantage by manipulating Di into a train-wreck of a marriage. In fact, the marriage was such a disaster Di became the prime suspect when her husband was found murdered and ended up on the wrong side of the bars.
Read Di’s character profile.
Barker, Dorothy
 Di’s elderly and infirm mother. She was placed in a nursing home when the pressures of caring for her forced Di into a nervous breakdown (s3ep10).
Barkwith, HMP
Phyl and Bev were transferred to this cushy open prison as a reward for building a motorised wheelchair for Buki’s son, Lennox (s5ep7).
Barrow, Detective Inspector
 Di’s elderly and infirm mother. She was placed in a nursing home when the pressures of caring for her forced Di into a nervous breakdown (s3ep10).
Basic
Under the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme, there are different levels of inmate privileges. On G-Wing, the basic regime covers the cells on the ground floor (aka G1), which have more primitive facilities and are usually shared.
Bath
Virginia came to a sticky end in the bath-tub when Al and Maxi drowned her (s3ep16).
Bell, Lisa
 An ex-girlfriend of Damian Morrison’s who testified on the Julies’ behalf at their GBH trial. Although Lisa told the jury that Damian forced her into prostitution and treated her violently, they chose to disregard her evidence and found the Julies guilty (s4ep13).
Belly Dancing
 Di donned her seven veils and tried to tickle Neil’s fancy with a belly dance (s4ep10). It was a complete flop of course; Di had yet to discover that Neil was gay and only sleeping with her to allay rumours about his sexuality.
Bennett Street Police Station
Where Di was taken to be formally charged with Fenner’s murder (s7ep11).
Benzos
Slang term for Benzodiazepines, a type of tranquilliser (see Tranquillisers).
Betts, Karen
 G-Wing’s longest serving Governor (s2ep3 – s4ep2 & s4ep12 – s5ep13). She was originally brought into Larkhall as the protégé of Simon Stubberfield (s2ep1) and, after Helen’s resignation (s2ep2), was made Wing Governor. Karen was finally dragged off her wing kicking and screaming by police officers who had come to arrest her for causing death by dangerous driving (s5ep13). Karen made a brief return in order to prove her innocence and Fenner’s guilt (s6ep12).
Read Karen’s character profile.
Betts, Ross
Karen’s son. Although he’s never actually appeared onscreen, we do know that he dropped out of his University course (s5ep3) and causes Karen no end of headaches.
Bigamy
Bigamy is marriage to two people at the same time. Many countries, including the UK, have specific statutes outlawing bigamy, making any secondary marriage a crime. Barbara became a bigamist when she married her second husband, Peter, without divorcing her first husband.
Biggins, Christopher
 Cuddly celeb who came to Larkhall to collect Lennox’s wheelchair on behalf of charity Kids on Wheels and who ended up being taken hostage by G-Wing’s inmates during their protest against privatisation. Against all odds, the women found an ally in Christopher who empathised with their plight, and then went on to bad-mouth the prison authorities to the press (s5ep7).
Christopher was particularly touched by Buki’s story and decided to adopt her son, Lennox. Later, he offered Buki a fairytale future by asking her to come and live with them both after her release (s5ep14).
Biggs, Noreen
 Old-timer and a great mate of Tina’s—they ran the servery together for a brief, but memorable time during Series 4. Noreen was later transferred back to Larkhall, this time suffering from a terminal illness. Noreen was appalled when she discovered that Tina was Fenner’s new ‘favourite’ and decided to confront him. He retaliated by attacking her and shortly afterwards, she collapsed and died (s5ep12).
Biker Boy
Nickname bestowed on Dominic by the Julies because he drove a motorbike.
Billy
 Jessie’s boozing partner. They were getting paralytic together on a park bandstand when Denny and Di came across them (s2ep4).
Bipolar Disorder
Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behaviour. Julie J was diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder after a series of violent episodes saw her being transferred to a secure mental hospital (s7ep12). Julie was successfully treated and then returned to Larkhall, but had secretly stopped taking her tablets because they were making her put on weight. Tortured by visions of Fenner’s ghost stalking the corridor, she stabbed herself in the stomach (s7ep13).
Biro
A type of ball-point pen, also the weapon used by Zandra to stab her git of a fiancé, Robin, in the face when she found out he had gotten engaged to someone else (s1ep3). Buki used the ink from a biro to help Denny and Shaz tattoo each other’s names on their palms (s3ep5).
Biscuits
 Di baked a batch of keyhole-shaped biscuits and sent them into Larkhall to thank G-Wing’s POs for being so supportive of Fenner during his mental breakdown (s6ep6). Hollamby stuck the biscuits inside Tanya’s luxury hamper as a quid pro quo for the goodies she had already ‘confiscated’. Al and Darlene weren’t very impressed by the biscuits—“they taste like thistles”—but scoffed them anyway.
Bissett, Chris
 Soundman from Kickin’ Productions who was convicted of aiding and abetting Shell’s escape. He was completely innocent of course—Fenner framed him by planting one of his business cards in Shell’s cell (s3ep7).
Biting
 Natalie emulated Mike Tyson by nearly biting Pat’s ear off during their epic scrap (s7ep7) and then sank her gnashers into poor Bev’s arm in retaliation for her and Phyl’s escape mucking up her prospects of an outside visit (s7ep10).
Black, Cilla
 Flame-haired Liverpudlian of Blind Date fame. Shell did an eerily authentic impersonation of her in an attempt to amuse ‘Mad’ Tessa Spall during her short spell on the Muppet Wing (s3ep2).
Blakeson, Ken
 The dopey gate-guard who signed Nikki out in her Nurse Ford disguise (s2ep13). He was also the first to give chase when Shell was spotted in Amsterdam (s5ep1) and narrowly avoided being squished by Trevor’s car when Julie S tried to break into the prison (s3ep3). Ken’s finest hour came when he was involved in a punch up with Barry Pearce that resulted in the temporary closure of the PO’s club (s4ep2).
Block
Being sent “down the block” is a standard punishment. It means being confined to a bare cell in solitary. Whilst on the punishment block, inmate will have their privileges withdrawn and will be denied association.
Blonde Wig
 Horrible hairpiece from hell worn by Nikki as part of her nurse’s disguise (s2ep13 – s3ep1) that made her look like “Dusty Springfield’s ugly sister”. A different, but equally as vile blonde wig was worn by when he stole Karen’s car and used it to knock someone over (s5ep13). He should thank his lucky stars he only needed the disguise to work at a distance—he looked like Vanessa Feltz with stubble!
Fenner’s wig made a second appearance when he used it to frame Ben Phillips/Hennessy for causing death by dangerous driving (s7ep1). Desperate to get out of prison, Fenner persuaded Di to buy a new wig and use Ben’s hairbrush to wipe plenty of his DNA all over it. The wig and the hairbrush were then planted in Ben’s van where the police later discovered them.
Blood
From the very first episode of Series 1 when Carol Byatt miscarried in her cell, buckets of the stuff have been spilt on G-Wing. Notably (and most disgustingly) when Shell stabbed Fenner in the stomach with a broken bottle (s3ep1), when Shaz pierced Denny’s tongue (s3ep5), and Fenner’s long-awaited swan-song (s7ep10).
Blood, Denny
 A convicted arsonist and all-round troubled kid, who served as Shell’s vicious side-kick until the arrival of Yvonne, and later Shaz, saw her being to develop more self-respect. After a brief spell on the run in Spain with Shell (s3ep8 – ep16), Denny was returned to the UK, Larkhall, and G-Wing where she remained until she became an artistic prodigy and received a transfer to an open prison (s5ep16).
Read Denny's character profile.
Blood Poisoning
Life-threatening condition suffered by Denny when Shaz’s attempt to pierce her tongue didn’t quite go to plan (s3ep5).
Blood Tests
Every inmate on G-Wing was given a blood test after their breakfast pancakes were accidentally spiked with oxalic acid (s6ep7 – ep8). Frances was also tested when she fell ill after her coffee was spiked.
Rowan did a number of blood tests when the inmates began collapsing on G-Wing. Ricin poisoning was initially suspected, but it later transpired that Legionnaire’s disease was the culprit (s8ep1).
Blowjob
Fenner’s trousers were around his ankles more often that they were up around his waist. Shell, Rachel, Maxi, and Neil have all gotten up close and personal with his dangly bits.
Blow Torch
Yardie gangster Rick Revoir kidnapped Darlene’s younger brother, Terence, and after cutting off one of his toes, threatened him with a blow torch (s6ep8). Darlene had stolen a bag belonging to Rick and he was prepared to go to any lengths to get it back.
Bobbybag
The nickname bestowed on Bobby Hollamby, the late husband of Sylvia ‘Bodybag’ Hollamby, by Bad Girls fans.
Bomb
Put together by Snowball using ingredients that were smuggled into Larkhall via the Inter Library Loan Scheme by Ritchie Atkins (s4ep15). The bomb was hidden inside a book and planted in the library (s4ep16).
Bodybag
 The inmates’ nickname for PO Sylvia Hollamby. It has never been explained why, but the fact that her late husband was an undertaker, and that bodybags are large, wrinkly, and… er… baggy might have a lot to do with it.
‘Born to Run’
Arguably Bruce Springsteen’s most famous song, it was also Yvonne’s favourite song of all time. It was played at the memorial service held in the Larkhall prison chapel on the first anniversary of her death (s7ep10).
Bostock, Eric
 Chief Executive of Linford Securities, the private security firm awarded the contract to privatise Larkhall. Although treated as the Second Coming by sycophants Fenner and Neil, he was viewed as Satan in earthly form by everyone else. After a period of jack-booting about, installing CCTV cameras, sacking POs, cutting costs, and generally getting on everyone’s nerves, he finally met his Waterloo courtesy of Yvonne and Christopher Biggins (s5ep7).
Bouquet
 At weddings, it is tradition for the bride to throw her bouquet to the assembled group of unmarried women in attendance. The woman who catches the bouquet is supposedly the next to wed. Dr Nicholson escorted Hollamby to Di and Fenner’s wedding and looked on in horror when she caught the bouquet (s6ep12). He changed his tune when Hollamby inherited a large fortune from her aunt and almost gave himself a hernia in his haste to get her down the aisle (s7ep6).
Bra
They’ve been smuggled into the prison by Josh (s2ep2), and have had drugs, letters, and even mobile phones concealed in them.
Bradford, Sandra
 Julie S’s breast nurse. As well as supporting Julie during her treatment, she fitted her with a wig and a false breast (s5ep10 – ep11).
Bradshaw, Judge
 The judge who sentenced the Julies to serve eight years apiece for tipping a tea-urn full of boiling water over Rhiannon’s so-called boyfriend, Damian Morrison (s4ep13).
Brain Tumour
The cause of Zandra’s untimely death (s2ep9).
Braised Meatballs
As in “my Bobby’s doing his braised meatballs tonight”. Bobby Hollamby’s signature dish never failed to get Sylvia “salivering”.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a cancer of the breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females—affecting, at some time in their lives, approximately one out of nine to one out of thirteen women who reach age ninety in the Western world. It is the second most fatal cancer in women. Julie S suffered from a malignant breast tumour, but thankfully, her treatment was successful and she is now in remission.
Breast Grabbing
 Well, involuntary breast grabbing really. Helen ended up feeling a right… er… no, actually it was a left tit when Nikki grabbed her hand and held it against her breast during an encounter in the potting-shed (s1ep7) (see Tittygate).
Brendan
 Sheena’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her son, Dylan. He visited Sheena shortly after her release on electronic tag and stashed a bag of heroin in the hall. He was observed by Colette, the homeowner and she called the police. Sheena was arrested and sent back to Larkhall (s7ep12).
Brian
 Bobby Darren Hollamby’s partner, a policeman.
Bridgeway, HMP
The prison Shaz was transferred to as punishment for fighting with Maxi (s4ep12).
Brightwell, HMP
Kris was in the process of being transferred to this prison when the van ‘crashed’. With a little help from her taxi driver mates, she managed to escape (s6ep11).
Broadfield, HMP
Stella Gough requested a transfer from Broadfield to Larkhall when she discovered that her mum, Joy, was Governing Governor (s8ep4). The family reunion didn’t quite go to plan and Stella was transferred back to Broadfield (s8ep5) (see Gough, Stella).
Broken Bottle
The weapon used by Nikki to kill DC Gossard (see Gossard, Detective Constable), the man who was trying to rape her then girlfriend, Trisha. Also the weapon used by Shell to give Fenner a near-fatal “poke in the pudding” (s3ep1).
Brothel
Brothels are establishments specifically dedicated to prostitution and in some countries, licensed brothels are legal. Virginia owned a string of brothels under the guise of massage parlours. They were looked after by John Farmer, aka Jim Fenner until her death (s3ep16).
Building Society
Scene of Tina’s daring attempted robbery with a replica gun. All Tina wanted was to be arrested and sent back to Larkhall, but her act was convincing enough to scare one of the customers into a heart attack and see her get sent down for manslaughter (s8ep7).
Bunk of Doom
Seemingly cursed bunk in the four-bed dorm that has been inhabited by dead inmates Rachel, Zandra, Renee Williams, Shaz, and Al. Another inhabitant, Charlotte Myddleton, was lucky to escape with her life when she was discovered trying to suffocate herself with a plastic bag (s3ep9).
Business Card
Fenner planted a business card belonging to Kickin’ Productions soundman, Chris Bissett, in Shell’s cell before she made her escape (s3ep7). The card implicated Chris and he was convicted of aiding and abetting (see Bissett, Chris).
"Busted arse-hole"
 Term used by the inmates to describe Hollamby’s habitual ‘face like a bag of spanners’ expression.
Bus Ticket
Rather stupidly kept by Nikki as a souvenir of her night of pash with Helen (s2ep13). The ticket was found by Di during a cell-spin and was then used by Fenner as one of the pieces of evidence he accumulated to force Helen’s resignation (s3ep15).
Buxton, Natalie
 After being convicted of trafficking illegal immigrants and then forcing them into prostitution, Natalie’s life should have been a living nightmare when she was sent down. However, she was clever enough to manipulate most of G-Wing’s inmates, and soon had them all toeing the line. Self-proclaimed top-dog thanks to her psychotic ability to scare the living shit out of everyone until she received a dose of her own medicine from Pat (s7ep7).
Read Natalie’s character profile.
Buxton, Reverend
 The female vicar who married Barbara and Henry (s5ep16).
Byatt, Carol
 Inmate who was left to miscarry and nearly bleed to death in her cell by a negligent Hollamby (s1ep1). She was later transferred to another prison.
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