Pruno—better known by its unglamorous nicknames like or "buck" —is a testament to human ingenuity under total restriction. It is a clandestine alcoholic beverage brewed behind bars using whatever ingredients can be scavenged from a cafeteria tray or the commissary. While its flavor is famously compared to "vomit-flavored wine-cooler" or "nail polish remover," its existence is a high-stakes game of chemistry and evasion. The Anatomy of an Illicit Brew
Making pruno is less about craft and more about desperation. The process typically relies on three core components available in a prison environment: Pruno—better known by its unglamorous nicknames like or