Jail dream meaning is explained below using 24 different sources. Each interpretation is shown with its source.

Interpretation 1 — Zolar

lucky numbers: 01-02-04-21-25-38

being a jailer: keep an immoral or improper impulse in check.

being in: resent being guarded from your criminal impulses by others.

dark, a: look wel into matters before you leap and are cal ed to account for them.

enemies: a short-lived fortune from your reluctantly granted favor.

for a long time: feel trapped in a jail-like relationship.

life: wil answer to your employer’s criticism for going on a jag.

friends: wish you were in charge of a particular person’s actions.

wrongdoing, because of: wil be caught in a white lie, which becomes a big lie.

sweetheart, your: wil be gravely embarrassed and disappointed in lover’s character.

woman dreaming of: must endure much suffering from an unknown source.

released from, being promptly: are in danger of contracting an infectious disease.

Source: Zolar’s Book of Dreams Numbers and Lucky Days • Author: Zolar

Interpretation 2 — Martha Clarke

The dreams in which a prison appears or in which you are imprisoned allude to a limitation of your energy and creativity. They denote the need to transform your routine. They are also related to the changes that occur on the outside and cannot be reached from your prison. Therefore, images such as this one advise you to reflect on the causes of your imprisonment. Finally, these dreams express those attitudes and emotions imprisoned within yourself and that must be freed. When you see someone behind bars, it likely symbolizes that part of you that you repress.

The most common superstitions say that if you have this dream one of your greatest wishes will come true. Others, surprisingly, predict marriage.

Source: The Big Dictionary of Dreams • Author: Martha Clarke

Interpretation 3 — Dr. Mıchael Lennox

Jail is the place where criminals go when they are awaiting trial and before the major incarceration of prison. You can be quite innocent of a crime and still be in jail. In this way, jail is symbolic of any powerful sense of restraint and limitation that keeps you from enjoying a sense of freedom.

If your dream takes place in jail, examine your life for a situation or limiting belief that is holding you back.

Source: Complete Dictionary of Dreams • Author: Dr. Mıchael Lennox

Interpretation 4 — Theresa Cheung

Prisons can often stand for a set of beliefs that limit the dreamer’s personal development or progress. The dream may help us escape this limitations by forcing us to confront them and examine what triggered them. A similar symbol of psychological entrapment, a cage, may also represent some kind of frustration with our life. There may be feelings of inferiority or a desire to break free from social convention.
Source: The Element Encyclopedia • Author: Theresa Cheung

Interpretation 5 — Silvana Amar

Dreaming about jail may make you think that you have done something immoral, illegal, or an act that merits punishment. You may also have a fear of being trapped emotionally or physically.

If you are the jailer, you may have an unconscious desire to exert control over others or in a particular situation. Either way, this dream suggests that you have obstacles in your life that may not be easy to overcome.

Source: The Bedside Dream Dictionary • Author: Silvana Amar

Interpretation 6 — DreamForth

To dream of jail involving your lover indicates that this person is not to be trusted. Jail dreams involving yourself indicate that you are feeling restricted and need increased freedom in your life. Jail dreams involving acquaintances indicates that you may give something to an undeserving person. Jail dreams involving children indicate concern over the child and their welfare.
Source: Dream Symbols and Analysis • Author: DreamForth

Interpretation 7 — Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

A lover in jail shows this person is a deceiver and not to be trusted.

To see strangers in jail may mean you will be asked to help someone you do not feel is deserving.

To be in jail may mean you are suffering from a feeling of confinement and too much togetherness with your spouse.

To see someone on death row denotes the death of an unhappy relationship.

Source: Encyclopedia of Dreams • Author: Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

Interpretation 8 — Gustavus Hindman Miller

To see others in jail, you will be urged to grant privileges to persons whom you believe to be unworthy To see negroes in jail, denotes worries and loss through negligence of underlings.

For a young woman to dream that her lover is in jail, she will be disappointed in his character, as he will prove a deceiver.

See Gaol.

Source: Ten Thousand Dream Interpretation • Author: Gustavus Hindman Miller

Interpretation 9 — Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

1. Feelings of confinement, punishment, sometimes over guilt for a past misdeed.

2. Reverse: happiness, likely domestic.

3. A feeling someone close may not be truthful.

4. Temptations should be avoided (as in “jailbait”).

Source: New American Dream Dictionary • Author: Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

Interpretation 10 — myjellybean

If you dream that you are in jail, you are feeling suffocated in a relationship or situation.

If you dream your boyfriend or crush is in jail, it is a signal that this person is deceitful and untrustworthy.

Source: My Dream Interpretation • Author: myjellybean

Interpretation 11 — Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett

An obstacle dream.

Your difficulties will be short term if you escaped or were released; otherwise expect a long tough struggle.

If your dream featured others in jail, it signifies freedom from worry.

Source: The Complete Guide to Interpreting Your Dreams • Author: Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett

Interpretation 12 — Stephen Girard

lf yon dream of seeing others in jail, you will be deprived of your own liberty. If you dream of being imprisoned, you will be elevated to a high station in life, and increase your number of friends.
Source: The Mystic Dream Book • Author: Stephen Girard

Interpretation 13 — Pagan - Anonymous

Dreaming of jail symbolizes the feeling of confinement, frustration, and/or the inability to act.

If you are the jailer, you may have some unconscious desire to exert control over others.

Source: Tryskelion Dream Interpretation • Author: Pagan - Anonymous

Interpretation 14 — Gillian Holloway

The young woman who dreams that her lover Is In jail is forewarned of the underlying weaknesses in his moral make-up which have hitherto remained concealed.
Source: The Complete Dream Book • Author: Gillian Holloway

Interpretation 15 — Betty Bethards

Self-imposed barriers resulting from inaction; key to getting out is creative thinking: define your goal and move ahead. Take responsibility for your life.
Source: The Dream Books Symbols • Author: Betty Bethards

Interpretation 16 — Raymond Buckland

Dreaming of being in jail indicates a feeling of guilt for something you have done that was wrong, but that you hoped to get away with.
Source: Gypsy Dream Dictionary • Author: Raymond Buckland

Interpretation 17 — Ariadne Green

Being in jail in your dreams may comment on your lack of personal freedom. It may also come as a response to guilt feelings.
Source: Ariadne's Book of Dream • Author: Ariadne Green

Interpretation 18 — Indian - Anonymous

If you dream that you are in jail it indicates that in life you will prosper. This is a dream of contrary.
Source: Indian Interpretation of Dreams • Author: Indian - Anonymous

Interpretation 19 — Internet Archive - Anonymous

This is generally considered an unfortunate dream, unless you are released in due time.

See JUDGE.

Source: Mystic Dream Book • Author: Internet Archive - Anonymous

Interpretation 20 — Tyler Wolfe

Symbolic of a loss of freedom or being bound and imprisoned mentally or spiritually, Ps. 137:3
Source: Christian Dream Symbols • Author: Tyler Wolfe

Interpretation 21 — Margaret Hamilton

A physical or mental place of confinement
Source: Dream Dictionary Unlimited • Author: Margaret Hamilton

Interpretation 22 — Patrica Telesco

(see Cage, Dead End)
Source: The Language of Dreams • Author: Patrica Telesco

Interpretation 23 — Stewart A. Swerdlow

Totally locked off.
Source: Expansions Dream Dictionary • Author: Stewart A. Swerdlow

Interpretation 24 — Versatile - Anonymous

See prison
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile • Author: Versatile - Anonymous