Prison

A prison is a secure government facility that confines individuals convicted of crimes or held on remand awaiting trial. Prisons differ from jails, which usually detain people for shorter terms. The aims of imprisonment include punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and, in many systems, rehabilitation through education and work.

Historically, confinement for offenders existed in ancient times, but modern prison systems developed in Europe from the 18th century onward, emphasizing separation from society and standardized regimes. Reforms in the 19th and 20th centuries introduced classification by risk and offense, humane treatment, and opportunities for reform.

Prisons vary by security level and purpose. They classify inmates for housing from dormitory units to cell blocks. Facilities provide meals, healthcare, education, employment, and religious services, with staff including correctional officers, administrators, and specialists.

Specialized facilities exist for women, juveniles, and mentally ill prisoners, and some systems maintain high-security or punitive segregation units. Private prisons operate under contract in a few jurisdictions.

Prison administration is subject to legal rights protections and oversight by internal bodies or independent inspectors. International and national standards address due process, humane treatment, access to healthcare, and limits on solitary confinement; concerns include overcrowding and violence.

Critics argue that imprisonment alone does not reliably reduce crime. Reforms emphasize alternatives such as probation, parole, restorative justice, and rehabilitation programs, with varying success by jurisdiction and offense.