Green’s Dictionary of Slang

workie n.1

[abbr.]

(US) the workhouse.

[US]N. Algren Never Come Morning (1988) 100: If it’s just contributin’ to delinquency though, they can’t do you more’n a year in the Workie.
[US]N. Algren Man with the Golden Arm 325: I took two jolts in the workie when you ’n me was together.