incarcerated

Incarcerated is an adjective describing someone who is confined by a government authority in a prison, jail, or other secure facility as a result of criminal proceedings or punishment. The noun form is incarceration.

In criminal justice systems, incarceration serves multiple purposes: punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and, in some cases, rehabilitation. A person can be incarcerated after conviction for a fixed term or for life; pretrial detention may also be counted toward a sentence or used separately, depending on the jurisdiction.

Facilities range from short-term holding cells to long-term penitentiaries and can include secure psychiatric units. Conditions and practices vary widely by country, system, and facility, influencing the daily life and rights of those confined.

Rights and welfare: International human rights standards require humane treatment, access to legal counsel, medical care, and the ability to communicate with family and courts. International guidance, such as the United Nations Mandela Rules, provides norms for the treatment of prisoners and the use of restraints, solitary confinement, and other practices.

Challenges and policy responses: Overcrowding, violence, mental health issues, and high rates of recidivism motivate reforms aimed at reducing reliance on incarceration and improving rehabilitation. Alternatives such as probation, parole, community corrections, and restorative justice programs are increasingly used in many systems.

Terminology: Common terms include prisoner, inmate, detainee, and convict. Incarcerated emphasizes confinement by state authority and can refer to both pretrial detention and post-conviction confinement.