 
|
dyey_cruz
 |
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 criminals, and have relatively lax security when compared to 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 criminals 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 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.
A prison is capable of handling far more prisoners than a jail is, and the prisoners are typically segregated on the basis of the types of crimes that they have been convicted of, as a safety precaution. In addition, in countries which still have capital punishment, a prison maintains facilities to carry out capital sentences, along with housing for criminals sentenced to this type of punishment. In general, the prison facility as a whole is very tightly secured, even if not all the criminals inside are violent, to prevent escapes or potential violence between wings of the prison. Prison staff are specially trained to work in a prison environment, and a board of governors appointed by the state oversees prison management. |
|
Â
|
jail holds people waiting for a trial. Prison holds people convicted of doing a crime. |
|
Gator
 |
Jail is a serving term up to one year. Prison is anything over 1 year ~ life sentences. |
|
bragginjan2005
|
Jail is normally for smaller offenses with parish or county time (most misdemeanors). Prison is for hard labor sentences. |
|
frdmed
|
I believe that "Jail" is "County based" & "Prison" is "State or Federal based". "Jail" is more so "temporary"such as up to 1 year...as in "Prison" is more so "permanent"...such as up to several years or for "LIFE" (foever until death). Neither one are good. |
|
horsecrazyguy
 |
jail is short term. for accused awaiting trial, for short sentences, up to 2 or 3 years, and for sentenced inmates awaiting transfer to a prison ,because of all the overcrowding. prison is long term up to life sentences and in some states, death row. also,. prisons vary in seurity levels. minimum, medium, maximum. jails don't do that. although i LOVE cacaroac's answer |
|
rishodi
|
Jail is usually considered to refer to the cells inside a police station or court house used for temporary confinement. Prison refers to a penitentiary used for long-term sentences. |
|
Theatre Nut!
|
Jail - imprison: lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
Prison - a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
There's quite a difference between the two in some respects. |
|
Bill G
|
Although dyey_cruz simply copied and pasted his description from the link he provided, This is a pretty good description of the difference between jail and prison. Prison has many more complex rules and regulations to deal with. People in prison are there for anywhere from two years to life. They are all convicted felons, not just people waiting trial, or convicted of misdemeanors. People who go to prison will of course be in jail first, before they go to trial and get convicted. However, Prison is a long term sentence, not just a temporary (up to one year) sentence. Even though jail and prison are both types of correctional facilities, there are a lot of differences between the two. I have worked as an officer and sergeant at three different correctional facilities,and I know what prisons are like after 4 1/2 years of working in them. |
|
Bucknut
|
Jail is runned by either a couny or municipal police station. If you are booked into a jail you can only stay there for a max of 158 days mostly. Unless the courts give you permission to stay longer. Or you will be moved to prison
Prison is runned by the state and federal authorities. There is no max on how many days you can stay in a prison. It does not matter wether it is federal or state. |
|
canadiandude
|
In Canada
-------------
Jails; Run by the province, it's for people serving less then 2 years, they generally range from minimum to medium security.
Prisons: Run by the country, it's for people serving 2 years or more, they generally range from medium to maximum secuirty. |
|
Renne
|
jail has four letters and prison has 6 |
|
layla love
 |
jail is mostly for people that are staying for a short ammount of time and prison is where you go if you have to be there for like alot of years |
|
T99D
|
Prison is where convicted fellons are held (over a year).
Jail is where law enforcement takes you to when you break the law.
Jail is where you are kept during your trial (if you don't post bond).
Jail is also where people serve time if they are convicted of misdemenor crimes (under a year). |
|
elaeblue
|
Jail is usually a city or county facility and prison is a state or federal facility.
In most states a convicted person can only stay in jail for up to one year. Anything over that they go to the prison system. |
|
blsteelerfan
 |
Correct, Jail is for local government and short term holdover facilities such as Metro Detention facilities. Prisons are those usually sentenced in state and Federal courts and sent to places such as an Ferderal Correctional Institution. Also, City and County jails have much less amenities than do prisons.
Think Guards are for jails as Correctional Officers are for Prisons. |
|
JAMES C
|
Jails are operated by county's and prisons are operated by states or at the federal level. In Michigan where I live if you are sentenced to anything more than 365 days you are transferred to a state prison. Less than that you are allowed to serve the time in that Jail. |
|
magnet4trouble
|
Jail is usually a shorter duration than prison
You dont go to prison for one night - you go to jail.
You dont go to jail for years - you go to prison to serve time. |
|
tacolover91 @
|
They are the same thing. Just called to different names. |
|
Norman B
 |
Jail is where the City or County houses those who are guilty of misdemeanor charges and those awaiting trial of all sorts. Prison is indeed State run and the difference is huge. Everyone in prison has been sentenced to a longer term or stay than County or City jails have If you find yourself in Prison be it a State Prison or a Federal Prison, you have a felony charge against you, which you either were found guilty of or you pled guilty to. There are some Prisons which house the vilest of the offenders, those awaiting the death sentience and everyone under that who either have life or more to do and those with less than life to do. Jail is for County and or City misdemeanor charges, and State or Federal Prisons are for all felonies |
|
cowluver17
|
Jail excepts "get of jail free" cards! |
|
rushr
|
Jails are run by a single city while prisons are run by states and the federal government (eg State/Federal Prison). |
|
Delia
|
Jail is like a small jail and prison is a large prison.
I think?
Look it up on www.dictionary.com |
|
littlebittagold
|
Prison is usually larger and has tighter security. The inmates usually are serving more time than those in jail. Jail is local, prison is state or federal. |
|
lisa2006
|
When I think of Jail I think of the county jail, where you're held at first, and prison is the long term deal. |
|
The Doctor
|
Generally, jail is for misdemeanors or people being held for trial. Prisons are for felonies. |
|
cacaroachjoe
|
jail is when youre in a relationship. Prison is when youre married. |
|
star
|
Jail is temporary before final sentencing and prison is long-term. |
|
Fishguy
 |
Jail is for misdemeanors and for holding people waiting for trial. It is usually run by the County. Terms are usually less than a year.
Prison is where felons are housed. Terms are usually longer than a year. Prisons are run by the State or Federal Gov. |
|
Bear
|
A jail is run by a county government and prison is run by the state government. I think some prisons may also be run by the federal government. |
|
so fresh '11
|
JAIL IS FOR UNDER A YEAR
PRISON IS MORE THAN A YEAR |
|
|
|
|
No Spam
Adult 
Gambling
Unfinished
Deception
Plagiarism
Not English
