prisoner

A prisoner is a person deprived of liberty by a state through the criminal justice system. Typically, a prisoner is someone who has been convicted and is serving a sentence in a correctional facility, or someone held in custody awaiting trial or sentencing (a pre-trial detainee). The terms and conditions of confinement vary by jurisdiction and facility type.

Corrections systems operate through a range of institutions, from jails for short-term detention to prisons for longer sentences and secure facilities for special categories. Facilities are organized by security level (minimum, medium, maximum) and by program needs, such as education, work, or treatment services. International and national standards emphasize humane treatment, access to legal counsel, medical and mental health care, safe living conditions, and avenues to complain about abuses.

Life in custody commonly includes rules, routines, and supervision. Prisoners may participate in rehabilitation efforts, vocational training, and educational programs. Classification and risk assessment help determine housing, program access, and supervision. Disciplinary procedures govern behavior and sanctions for violations of facility rules.

Release from custody can occur after sentence completion, through parole or other supervised release, or upon dismissal of charges. The concept of imprisonment and the treatment of prisoners are subject to ongoing legal and policy debates, including concerns about overcrowding, rehabilitation efficacy, and the use of alternatives to incarceration.