Correctional facilities are used to detain individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses. The most common types of correctional facilities are Prisons and Jails. While they share a common purpose, there are key distinctions between the two. Here's a breakdown of the different types of prisons and jails:
Prisons
Prisons are usually defined as a facility that houses an individual for over one year of time, and are divided up into several different types.
- Federal Prisons are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons also known as the BOP. Any individual who has committed and been convicted of a federal crime will be housed in a Federal Prison.
- State Prisons are operated at the state level, these facilities house individuals convicted of state crimes.
- Private Prisons are operated by private companies under contract with the government. These facilities can house both federal and state inmates.
Jails
Jails house individuals who are sentenced to less then a year in custody, usually for less serious crimes. Jails can also house individuals who are awaiting trial. There are several different types of jails.
- County Jails these facilities primarily hold individuals within the county the crime was committed who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences (typically less than a year).
- City Jails are smaller facilities operated by cities, often used for holding individuals awaiting trial, those serving very short sentences, and those who have been detained and are waiting to be processed to a County jail.
Other types of correctional facilities include:
- Juvenile Detention Centers, which are designed to hold juveniles (those under the age of 18) who have been accused or convicted of crimes.
- Boot Camps, serve as alternatives to traditional incarceration, that often involve military-style discipline and physical training.
- Work Release Programs, allow inmates to work in the community during the day and return to prison at night.
- Halfway Houses, provide transitional living which helps inmates adjust to life outside of prison in a controlled manner. Both work release and halfway houses are utilized in the final stages of incarceration.
Key Differences Between Prisons and Jails
Prisons are primarily utilized for long-term incarceration and are comprised of those convicted of serious crimes. Alternatively jails are often used for short-term detention or for individuals awaiting trial.
Visitation is available in prisons and jails, however major differences include the frequency of visits, who can visit, and the requirements for establishing a visitor. Both jails and prisons have a dress code, and utilize security measures to screen visitors including searches and metal detectors.
Prisons generally house a larger population of inmates than jails, and have more comprehensive programs and services which include education, vocational training, and mental health, and substance abuse treatment.
Understanding these distinctions can be helpful for individuals who are incarcerated or have loved ones in prison.