Some words in the English language are usually misplaced in usage because of their meaning or similarity. One of these words includes “Jail vs Prison”.
Since both are confinement for lawbreakers or defaulters, some refer to both as jail, while some see both as a prison, but there is a big difference between them in a broad context.
If a crime occurs in an environment and the police come to the crime scene, they could arrest suspects and put them in jail as they await trial. If they are found guilty after trial, they can be transferred to prison for a longer sentence.
As you read through this article, I will explain the difference between these two words and help you understand their usage.
Jail vs Prison
Meaning of Jail:
A jail is a place of custody within the jurisdiction of a city or state for holding criminals or suspects in the short term to wait for trial of their case.
The stay in jail is usually a short while as the lawyer and those in charge arranges for the trial of the case. The maximum time that could be spent in jail is a year or lesser as the trial is taking place.
Some of the hidden benefits of jail are to analyze and address educational needs, all forms and abuse, and the correction of the detained inmate’s behavior. Boot camps and other work release programs are also addressed in jail.
Some of the people that are in jail are either denied trial or unable to pay a ransom to be bailed, so they stay in jail until a solution is provided.
Examples:
- He was sent to jail because he was a suspect in the crime.
- I’m not afraid of going to jail.
- The trial will dance to my tune so I won’t stay in jail for a long while.
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Jail vs Prison
Meaning of Prison:
A prison is a place of custody under the state or federal government for criminals who have undergone trial and are found guilty. Prisons are for longer sentences that are more than a year.
The crimes that could lead to a longer sentence include Murder, Arm robbery, fraud, etc. All these crimes are serious, and each requires a trial to verify the status of the case. A prison can be private (some in Arizona), run by the state or the federal government.
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Jail vs Prison
Depending on the crime, some prisoners are offered work and rehabilitation programs to help them start a new life, especially after serving a long sentence.
Most prisoners gain access to books in the library where they get inclined and educated on the positive norms of life and how to be a better citizen.
Prisons are always more rigid with strong securities than jails because of the type of inmates (inmates who committed hard crimes). Also, having strict security personnel with CCTV to monitor daily prison activities and affairs.
Examples:
- The books I read while in prison helped me build my business.
- Prison is not a comfortable place for anyone, no matter the crime you committed.
- At the end of the trial, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Jail vs Prison
Summary:
These two words are easily misunderstood due to their usage but here is a summary of both:
- Prison: A prison is a place of custody under the state or federal government for criminals who have undergone trial and are found guilty. Prisons are for longer sentences that are more than a year.
- Jail: A jail is a place of custody within the jurisdiction of a city or state for holding criminals or suspects in the short term to wait for trial of their case.
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