Pruno is an improvised alcoholic beverage commonly referred to as prison hooch or prison wine. It is made from various ingredients including fruit, sugar, and other available items in US prisons, with an alcohol content ranging from 2% to 14% by volume.
How it is made
Pruno is made using limited ingredients available to inmates, such as apples, oranges, fruit juices, sugar, and other items. The process typically involves fermenting these ingredients in a plastic bag with hot running water, and using a towel or sock to conceal the pulp during fermentation. A portion of the fermenting mass, called the 'motor' or 'kicker', is often retained from previous batches to start fermentation faster.
History
Pruno originated in US prisons where inmates developed methods to produce alcohol with limited resources. Despite efforts by prison authorities to prevent its production by banning fresh fruit and fruit-based products, inmates continue to make pruno by hoarding ingredients and hiding the brewing process in various locations within their cells.
How it is served
Pruno is typically consumed by inmates in prison settings. Due to its improvised nature and potential health risks, including botulism outbreaks linked to potato-based pruno, it remains an unauthorized beverage in correctional facilities. Production and consumption are strictly prohibited, with correctional officers conducting regular searches to confiscate ingredients and finished product.