vanglakaristus

Vanglakaristus is the Estonian term for imprisonment, a formal criminal punishment in which a person convicted of a crime is deprived of liberty for a defined period. The primary purpose of a prison sentence is to punish wrongdoing, deter future crime, protect society, and, in many systems, to provide opportunities for rehabilitation. The length and type of the sentence are determined by a court, based on the severity of the offense, the offender’s criminal history, and the applicable law. In most jurisdictions, prison terms are served in state or national penitentiaries and administered by the country’s penal system. During confinement, individuals may be subject to different security levels, work assignments, education, medical care, and rehabilitation programs. In many legal systems, prison terms can be full terms (determinate) or may be linked with conditions for early release, supervision, or parole after serving part of the term. Some systems also use longer terms or life imprisonment for the most serious offenses, subject to review or release possibilities.

Prison sentences are intended to balance punishment with public protection and the chance for the offender to reintegrate into society. They are regulated by criminal procedure and are subject to the rights of detainees, such as humane treatment and access to legal remedies, which are protected by law and international standards.