(Elmira, N.Y., Reformatory and Western prisons) An
inmate holding a desirable work-assignment; a trusty; any inmate
favored by the authorities.
(Note: The term ring ghee originated several decades ago when State’s prison inmates, transferred to
Elmira Reformatory, were permitted
special privileges to compensate for the more rigorous reformatory routine. They were granted the use of a separate
recreation yard during periods when other inmates were
locked in their cells. No sport or breaking of ranks, however, was allowed. In
cold weather, these privileged inmates would run around in circles to keep warm. Hence, there developed the ironic term ring ghee. Today, the term has no
ironic connotations.)
- american underworld dictionary - 1950