The Difference between going to JAIL and going to PRISON!

Richards Law 101…The Difference between Jail and Prison

Although the terms “jail” and “prison” are sometimes used interchangeably, most members of law enforcement distinguish between the two. Primarily, the difference is that a jail is used by local jurisdictions such as counties and cities to confine people for short periods of time. A prison, or penitentiary, is administered by the state, and is used to house convicted criminals for periods of much longer duration. Both are part of a larger penal system which includes other aspects of criminal justice such as courts, law enforcement, and crime labs.

Because a jail is designed for short time periods only, it tends to have less amenities than a prison. Individuals who are being housed in a jail have access to bathrooms and are provided with food and water, and in a low security jail, they may be able to socialize in common areas during certain periods of the day. Most jails are designed to hold a very small number of  accused criminals, and have relatively lower level of security when compared to most prisons, although in areas prone to violence, a jail may be run along very strict lines. A jail houses people who have been convicted to serve a short sentence, individuals awaiting trial, people who have not yet paid bail, and detainees who have just been picked up on suspicion of committing a crime. The criminals are processed through a booking procedure, and the criminal justice system decides what to do with them after that.

In a prison, the amenities are much more extensive, as some prisoners may be serving their lives behind bars. Prisons have exercise areas, common areas for eating and socializing in lower security areas, church facilities, and an educational facility which includes classrooms, libraries, and labs to work and study in. In lower security prisons such as those used to imprison people convicted of white collar crimes, the prison (for those convicted in the federal penal system) could sometimes be mistaken for a hotel. In most cases, prison inmates are expected to share cells with other inmates, and because of the long duration of most prison sentences, a complex social and political structure arises among the prisoners.

There is not a major difference between jail and prison for a lay person, but in the eyes of a lawyer two of them are totally different. A lay person considers that the two terms are interchangeable or synonyms. Both are the places, in which individuals are physically confined and deprived of a range of personal freedoms. But the fact is that a jail is used for short term stay whereas a prison is for a long term stays. Jail is used by local jurisdictions in countries and cities, whereas prison is administered by the state or federal government.

People convicted for a short sentence or trials, detainees, suspicious people under trials are kept under jail. Jail has fewer amenities for its convicts as compared to a prison. It only provides the basic necessities of food, housing and safety to the prisoners. Jails operate camps, vocational trainings and other work release programs for the prisoners. Jails are within the county where the individual is arrested. Typically they are intended to hold persons for less than one year.

Whereas the prison is for long term convicts who have been tried and convicted of crime. It is normally located away from the place of arrest. There are few prisons as compared to jails. Prison has a tight security and more amenities for the people. It provides the basic necessities as well as exercise areas, common areas for socializing and educational areas too. The area coverage is also more than the jail. Prison has a specially trained staff and a board of governor to oversee the prison management.

A prison is divided on the basis of the type of crime, a person commits and he is placed accordingly, unlike in jail. Prison has work release centers, community restitution centers and other entertainment facilities for the prisoners. This prison system is a type of correction system arranged by the province or a state for the convicts.

Till the late 18th century, prisons were for the debtors who could not meet their terms and conditions and for those who were waiting for their death sentence. In early days U.S. prisoners were kept in isolation, later they were permitted to work together but in silence. At the end of 19th century prisoners were segregated on the basis of type of crime, age and sex. Rewards for good behavior were also given. In late 20th the offences related to illegal drugs were increased and so the number of prisons too. Whereas in jail prisoners are for short period of time and given short trainings or counseling. Some local jail also provides drug treatment and education programs.

Hence, we see that both are a part of large penal system which includes all aspects of law and justice. A jail is like a rehabilitation centre for the people who are under trial and are not convicted. They are given a chance to improve and resettle themselves after their bail. Whereas a prison is a penitentiary, used to house convicted criminals. They are penalized for long term imprisonment or life sentence.

In Summary…

Yes, there are definitely many differences between prison and jail. They are entirely different entities. Here are some of the differences that you’ll want to know about if it’s possible that you or a member of your family is facing the prospect of going to jail or to prison: