Prison

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The Prison at a police station in Germany
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The Prison at a police station in Germany

A prison is a secure facility operated (in the U.S.) by a state or the federal correctional authority, where persons who have been convicted of serious (felony) crimes are held after being sentenced to the government's custody. Removing offenders from society prevents them from inflicting futher harm in the community, punishes them for their behavior, and may deter others who are otherwise likely to commit similar crimes. In-prison programming can be effective in reducing the inmate's likelihood of commiting further crime after release.

Compare: jail