If you also get confused and use jail and prison interchangeably then you are wrong. These words are considered to have similar meaning but they mean different. Have a look.
Jail is a place where people are confined for a short period of time when they have done a crime or have been accused of it. On the other hand, a prison is a place where people are kept for a long period of time, caught for a serious crime.
Jail
Jail is a place where criminals are kept when they have done minor crimes or offenses for a short period of time. Jails are operated by a county or city government. Jails are also known as detention facilities. A lot of new detainees are delivered to jails daily.
The inmates of jail are given educational and vocational services so that they may become a better person and do not cause problems for the other inmates. They are also given a load of major work as a punishment so that they do not commit any other crime in the future.
Prison
Prison is for those who commit major crimes and are kept for long duration or for the lifetime. Prisons are operated by a state government or the federal government. Prison is also known as Penitentiary. Major crimes involve are kidnapping, murder, bank robbery etc.
Serious punishment and torture are given to the inmates in a prison which varies with the extent of crime done. Many programs and services are offered to the inmates to make them better beings and encourage living a healthy life ahead.
Now let’s discuss the difference between jail and prison for better understanding.
Time period
People are kept for a short period of time in jail and prison is for a long period of time or for the lifetime.
Authority
Jails are operated by a county or city government while Prisons are operated by a state government or the federal government.
Another name
Jails are also known as detention facilities whereas another name of prison is Penitentiary.
Crime
Inmates in jail are for minor crimes whereas inmates of prison are for major crimes.
Population
There are more criminals in jail than prison.