Bahamas, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Bahamas n.

also Barbados

[the distance of the Bahamas from the mainland]

(NZ/US prison) solitary confinement, the secure unit, thus down in / go to the Bahamas, in solitary confinement.

1992		Bentley & Corbett Prison Sl. 10: Going to the Bahamas Being sent to the ‘hole’ or isolation unit.
1999		D. Looser ‘Boob Jargon’ in NZEJ 13 : bahamas n.pl. Solitary confinement, secure unit.
2001		D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 12/1: Bahamas, the n. pl. the solitary confinement cell, the secure unit: ‘x is down in the Bahamas for the week.’ [ibid.] 13/2: Barbados n. = Bahamas, the.