Legal Definitions - adult correctional institution

An adult correctional institution is a facility operated by a government agency (such as federal, state, or local authorities) designed to house individuals who have been legally convicted of crimes and sentenced to a period of incarceration. These institutions serve several purposes, including punishment for offenses committed, protection of the public, and often, the provision of programs aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The term specifically refers to facilities for adults, distinguishing them from juvenile detention centers or youth correctional facilities.

• Example 1: After being convicted of grand theft auto and aggravated assault, a 35-year-old individual is sentenced to serve seven years. They are subsequently transferred to a state penitentiary, a large facility managed by the state's department of corrections.

  Explanation: This state penitentiary functions as an adult correctional institution because it is a government-run facility housing an adult who has been convicted of a crime and is serving a long-term sentence as a form of punishment and public safety.

• Example 2: A person found guilty of federal tax evasion and money laundering is sentenced to five years. They are then assigned to a federal correctional institution, which is part of the federal Bureau of Prisons system.

  Explanation: This federal correctional institution fits the definition as it is a federal government facility designed to incarcerate an adult convicted of federal crimes, fulfilling the purpose of holding sentenced individuals.

• Example 3: A local county correctional facility, while often housing individuals awaiting trial, also has a dedicated section for adults serving sentences of up to two years for various misdemeanor and lower-level felony convictions, such as repeated instances of driving under the influence or minor drug possession.

  Explanation: In this context, the county correctional facility acts as an adult correctional institution for those adults who have been sentenced and are serving their time there, providing incarceration and oversight for convicted individuals within a local government framework.