expression, noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
inside the walls; within prison
Literally 'inside the fence/wall', but often used as a euphemism for being in prison. Can also refer to any walled compound.
彼は塀の中にいる。
He is in prison.
塀の中の生活は厳しい。
Life inside the walls is harsh.
Standard kanji spelling for this phrase.
Kana spelling of the first part; sometimes used for clarity or in informal writing.
Compound of 塀 (へい, 'fence, wall') + の (possessive particle) + 中 (なか, 'inside'). The prison meaning is a euphemistic extension.