Prison and Jail
Complete guide to the prison and jail system in inZOI, covering how arrests work, the Crime Score, the Suspicious Job Agency, bail, the trial system with free and elite lawyers, opportunity cards, sentencing outcomes, jail cell features, escape by digging, release timing, and the Q2 2026 prison property roadmap.
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Overview
In inZOI, Zois who commit crimes can be arrested, put on trial, and sent to prison. The justice system was introduced in the v0.5.0 update (December 2025) alongside business ownership and the crime system. It is tied to the Karma system and a separate Crime Score that tracks illegal activity. Only Young Adult and older Zois can commit crimes and face the justice system.
Crime Score
Every crime your Zoi commits increases their Crime Score. The Crime Score is separate from Karma (though criminal actions also lower Karma). As the Crime Score rises, the risk of arrest escalates:
Low Crime Score: Police may issue a warning or a fine for minor offenses.
High Crime Score: Police arrest the Zoi on sight. At a certain threshold, the Zoi is automatically arrested regardless of police proximity.
How Arrest Works
A Zoi commits crimes, lowering their Karma and raising their Crime Score.
Bad Karma causes other Zois to avoid them and spread rumors.
If the Zoi escapes a crime scene, they receive a Wanted Status lasting up to one day. Encountering police during this period results in immediate custody.
If the Crime Score exceeds the automatic arrest threshold, the Zoi is taken into custody without needing a police encounter.
Types of Crime
The v0.5.0 update introduced a range of criminal activities. Some require low Karma to unlock, while others are available through the Suspicious Job Agency.
Crime | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Fighting / punching other Zois | Violence | Available once Karma drops low enough; attacking police guarantees arrest |
Destroying public property | Vandalism | Damages the environment; raises Crime Score |
Shoplifting | Theft | Stealing items from stores; witnesses can report to police |
Hacking ATMs | Theft | High-risk, high-reward crime interaction |
Extorting a police officer | Extortion | Only available at Bad Karma level |
Attempt Voice Phishing | Scam | Available through the Suspicious Job Agency |
Scam In-Game Items | Scam | Online scam interaction |
Impersonate Charity Worker | Scam | Social engineering crime |
Hold Fake Seminar | Scam | Fraud interaction from the Suspicious Job Agency |
Burglary | Theft | Breaking into other Zois' homes; see |
Suspicious Job Agency
The Suspicious Job Agency is a criminal employment board added in v0.5.0. Zois can use the agency's bulletin board to purchase crime information and take on shady jobs. These jobs provide structured criminal missions with payouts, but increase Crime Score and risk of arrest.
Bail
Zois placed under arrest can post bail to buy temporary freedom before their trial. Bail gives the Zoi time to prepare for the trial, hire a lawyer, and complete the trial preparation mission.
Bail cost: Calculated based on the type of crime committed and the expected sentence length. More serious crimes require higher bail amounts.
Posting bail: Requires the Zoi (or their household) to have sufficient Meow. If they cannot afford bail, the Zoi remains in a detention center until the trial begins.
Detention center: Zois who do not post bail are held in custody with limited activities until their court date.
The Trial System
Lawyer Appointment
Before the trial, you can choose a lawyer to represent your Zoi. The quality of legal representation significantly affects the trial outcome.
Lawyer Type | Cost | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
Free Lawyer | 0 Meow | Limited assistance; lower chance of favorable outcome |
Elite Lawyer | Expensive (varies) | Better chance of reduced sentences or acquittal |
Trial Preparation Mission
When a lawyer is appointed, a trial preparation mission is assigned. This mission involves gathering evidence, consulting with the lawyer, and making strategic decisions about the defense. The results of this preparation directly influence which opportunity cards appear during the actual trial. Thorough preparation unlocks better cards with more favorable options.
Trial Proceedings
The trial proceeds automatically with opportunity cards appearing at key decision points. Each card presents choices that affect the verdict:
Choosing the correct answers on opportunity cards can reduce sentencing or lead to acquittal.
The cards available depend on how well the trial preparation mission was completed.
An elite lawyer provides access to better opportunity cards than a free lawyer.
Not-guilty verdicts are difficult to achieve and require thorough preparation combined with good card choices.
Failed acquittal attempts may result in harsher sentences than if you had not tried for full acquittal.
Possible Outcomes
Outcome | Description |
|---|---|
Acquittal | Zoi is found not guilty and released. Rare; requires elite lawyer and excellent preparation. |
Fine | Zoi pays a Meow penalty and is released. Common for minor offenses. |
Reduced sentence | Sentence is shortened through good opportunity card choices. |
Prison sentence | Zoi is sent to jail for a set period. Default outcome for serious crimes. |
Harsher sentence | Extended jail time imposed after a failed acquittal attempt. |
Jail Time
Zois sentenced to prison are taken to the police station and placed in a cell. Unlike many life simulation games, jail in inZOI is not a time-skip. You can control your Zoi inside the cell, though activities are extremely limited.
Cell Features
The jail cell is a small room containing:
Bed: For sleeping through the sentence.
Toilet and sink: Basic hygiene needs.
Vending machine: Purchase food and drinks to manage hunger.
Smartphone access: Your Zoi retains access to their phone, allowing limited interactions like checking messages and using apps even while incarcerated.
The Zoi is dressed in an orange jumpsuit during their sentence. Normal clothing is restored upon release.
Sentence Duration
Standard jail time lasts approximately 24 in-game hours from the time of arrest. The exact duration may vary based on the crime severity and trial outcome.
Getting Released
Two methods exist for leaving jail:
Method | Timing | Details |
|---|---|---|
Automatic release | 9:00 AM the next day | The Zoi is released once their sentence expires. Automatic if you do not intervene. |
Manual release | After 4:00 AM | Click on your Zoi and select 'Get Out of Jail' to leave early once the option becomes available. |
After release, the Zoi's clothes revert to their normal outfit and they are free to return home.
Escape
Prison escape is possible by digging through the cell wall. This method requires patience and repeated attempts.
Find the crack: Look for a vulnerable spot on the wall between pieces of furniture (typically between the bed and table, or the bed and sink).
Scratch repeatedly: Select the crack and choose the scratch interaction. You must scratch the crack many times over a long period. The crack does not grow gradually; it appears as a hole suddenly after enough scratching.
Escape through the hole: Once the hole forms, your Zoi can pass through it to leave the prison facility.
Change clothes immediately: After escaping, change into alternative clothing as soon as possible. The orange jumpsuit makes your Zoi easy to identify for recapture.
Escaping prison does not clear your Zoi's Crime Score or Karma. You may face re-arrest if police encounter you while your Crime Score remains high.
Upcoming: Prison Properties (Q2 2026)
The 2026 Roadmap includes full prison properties planned for Q2 2026. These will transform jail from a small holding cell into a fully interactive environment with multiple facilities:
Facility | Purpose |
|---|---|
Prison yard | Outdoor time and exercise |
Library | Reading and study activities |
Workshop | Crafting activities including laundry and sewing |
Lounge | Socializing with other inmates |
Cafeteria | Communal meals |
Shower area | Hygiene facilities |
Visitation room | Family visits during incarceration |
The roadmap also includes plans to add a detailed arrest and incarceration process (on-site arrest and police station procedures), bail amounts calculated based on crime type and sentence length, richer court interactions including prison visitation during trial waiting periods, and home/vehicle security systems like surveillance cameras and alarm devices. These are all planned as free updates for Early Access players.
Tips
Hiring an elite lawyer is expensive but significantly improves trial outcomes. Budget for legal costs if you plan to commit crimes.
Complete the trial preparation mission thoroughly for the best opportunity cards. Rushing preparation leads to worse options during the trial.
Maintain positive Karma to avoid police attention entirely. The justice system only triggers when Crime Score reaches certain thresholds.
Post bail immediately if arrested to gain time for trial preparation and lawyer consultation.
Consider insurance policies that may help with legal costs and bail amounts.
If you plan to escape, be patient. The wall-scratching method takes a long time but works reliably.
After release or escape, focus on rebuilding Karma through positive actions to avoid re-arrest.
The Suspicious Job Agency offers structured criminal missions, but each completed job increases your Crime Score and arrest risk.