Let's break it down White (color) = peace / serenity etc. Collar = the part around the neck of a shirt, blouse, jacket or coat, either upright or turned over. which is usually on either business or casual clothes. prison = jail / lock up A peaceful (or non threatening / low security level) prison that's made for rich businessmen / politicians / financial criminals. A White-Collar Crime Prison is different from the normal penitentiary system. The reasons for this are mentioned here https://www.quora.com/Why-do-so-called-White-Collar-Crime-Prisons-exist-separately-from-the-normal-penitentiary-system