cell, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cell n.

In compounds

cell gangster (n.) (also cell warrior)

(US prison) one who poses as tough while in their cell, but follows orders elsewhere.

2000		Other Side of the Wall: Prisoner’s Dict. July 🌐 Cell Gangster: One who talks tough locked in his cell. Then says nothing when out of cell. (NY) Also known as a ‘cell warrior.’ (AK).
2006		Prison Slang Mommyblogger mydogharriet.blogspot.com 26 Sept. 🌐 If your little cell warrior continues to bug out, tell her in a firm voice that she needs to stay dead mouthed until she gives you a dime of flat time.

cell 99 (n.)

(US und.) the coroner’s office.

1909

‘The Lang. of Crooks’ in Wash. Post 20 June 4/2: [paraphrasing J. Sullivan] Cell No. 99 is a Coroner’s office.

cell task (n.) [ironic reference to the official cell tasks set prisoners. The pin-up’s real-life incarnation would obviously make a preferable ‘task’ to that set by the authorities]

(UK prison) a pin-up picture.

1950

P. Tempest Lag’s Lex. 39: ‘Cell task.’ An esoteric joke, current in all prisons, is to refer to any pin-up girl or to any female (and, regrettably, to certain males) with such a remark as ‘Blimey, I couldn’t arf use ’er for a cell task.’.

In phrases

cell with the blue light (n.)

(N.Z. prison) an observation cell.

2001

D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 39/2: cell with the blue light an observation cell for mentally unbalanced or suicidal inmates.