noun · neutral
prison
/ˈprɪzən/PRIS·on
a building where people are legally held as punishment after being convicted of crimes; (contrast with 'jail' for short-term holding)
Examples
“He was sent to prison for seven years after the conviction.”
“Many former prisoners struggle to find work after release.”
“The report examined health care provision in prisons.”
Band 8 sentence
“Prison overcrowding is a major policy issue, prompting debates about alternatives such as community sentences and rehabilitation programmes.”
Collocations
- sent to prison
- serve a prison sentence
- prison reform
Word family
Common mistakes
Using 'jail' and 'prison' interchangeably without distinction→jail = nơi tạm giam/ngắn hạn; prison = nơi giam giữ dài hạn sau khi kết án
Saying 'go to prison' when only detained for questioning→Be detained/held in custody for questioning; 'go to prison' implies sentencing
Say it for a higher band
5jail→6detention centre→7+prison
Synonyms
jail
Easily confused
jail
“He was taken to jail after the arrest and later transferred to prison following his conviction.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Crime & Law
Learn it with its set