'Bowsie' - term of abuse ?? I'd take it as a compliment - especially from
a prison warder. Seriously - I suppose it'd be the equivalent of 'lout'
or some similar word. Often coupled with the phrase 'good-for-nothing'. An
Irish/Dublin synonym would be 'gouger'. I've also known country relatives
to use the almost quaint 'blackguard' (pron. blagard). 'bowsie' would be less
shocking than 'bastard' probably only because it's less well known.