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Prison
A prison, also known as a correctional facility, jail, gaol (dated, British and Australian English), penitentiary (American English), detention center (American English), or remand center is a facility in which inmates are forcibly confined and denied a variety of freedoms under the authority of the state. Prisons are most commonly used within a criminal justice system: people charged with crimes may be imprisoned until their trial; those pleading or being found guilty of crimes at trial may be sentenced to a specified period of imprisonment.
Prisons can also be used as a tool of political repression by authoritarian regimes. Their perceived opponents may be imprisoned for political crimes, often without trial or other legal due process; this use is illegal under most forms of international law governing fair administration of justice. In times of war, prisoners of war or detainees may be detained in military prisons or prisoner of war camps, and large groups of civilians might be imprisoned in internment camps.
In American English, prison and jail are usually treated as having separate definitions. The term prison or penitentiary tends to describe institutions that incarcerate people for longer periods of time, such as many years, and are operated by the state or federal governments. The term jail tends to describe institutions for confining people for shorter periods of time (e.g. for shorter sentences or pre-trial detention) and are usually operated by local governments. Outside of North America, prison and jail have the same meaning.
Common slang terms for a prison include: “the pokey”, “the slammer”, “the clink”, “the joint”, “the calaboose”, “the hoosegow” and “the big house”. Slang terms for imprisonment include: “behind bars”, “in stir” and “up the river” (a possible reference to Sing Sing).
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Penitentiary
A prison, also known as a correctional facility, jail, gaol (dated, British and Australian English), penitentiary (American English), detention center (American English), or remand center is a facility in which inmates are forcibly confined and denied a variety of freedoms under the authority of the state. Prisons are most commonly used within a criminal justice system: people charged with crimes may be imprisoned until their trial; those pleading or being found guilty of crimes at trial may be sentenced to a specified period of imprisonment.
Prisons can also be used as a tool of political repression by authoritarian regimes. Their perceived opponents may be imprisoned for political crimes, often without trial or other legal due process; this use is illegal under most forms of international law governing fair administration of justice. In times of war, prisoners of war or detainees may be detained in military prisons or prisoner of war camps, and large groups of civilians might be imprisoned in internment camps.
In American English, prison and jail are usually treated as having separate definitions. The term prison or penitentiary tends to describe institutions that incarcerate people for longer periods of time, such as many years, and are operated by the state or federal governments. The term jail tends to describe institutions for confining people for shorter periods of time (e.g. for shorter sentences or pre-trial detention) and are usually operated by local governments. Outside of North America, prison and jail have the same meaning.
Common slang terms for a prison include: “the pokey”, “the slammer”, “the clink”, “the joint”, “the calaboose”, “the hoosegow” and “the big house”. Slang terms for imprisonment include: “behind bars”, “in stir” and “up the river” (a possible reference to Sing Sing).
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Prison (noun)
A place or institution of confinement, especially of long-term confinement for those convicted of serious crimes or otherwise considered undesirable by the government.
“The cold stone walls of the prison had stood for over a century.”
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Prison (noun)
Confinement in prison.
“Prison was a harrowing experience for him.”
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Prison (noun)
Any restrictive environment, such as a harsh academy or home.
“The academy was a prison for many of its students because of its strict teachers.”
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Prison (verb)
To imprison.
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Penitentiary (noun)
A state or federal prison for convicted felons.
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Penitentiary (noun)
A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
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Penitentiary (noun)
One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
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Penitentiary (noun)
One who does penance.
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Penitentiary (noun)
A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
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Penitentiary (noun)
An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.
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Penitentiary (noun)
An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.
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Penitentiary (adjective)
Of or relating to penance; penitential.
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Penitentiary (adjective)
Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.