Legal Definitions - penitentiary

A penitentiary is a type of prison, typically operated by state or federal governments, designed for the long-term confinement of individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes, often referred to as felonies. Its primary purpose is to house these convicted offenders and administer their sentences, which may include programs aimed at rehabilitation or simply incapacitation to protect the public.

• Example 1: After being found guilty of armed robbery, a defendant was sentenced to serve eight years in the state penitentiary.

  Explanation: This illustrates a penitentiary as a state-run facility where an individual convicted of a serious crime (armed robbery is a felony) serves a long-term sentence.

• Example 2: A group of individuals convicted of large-scale drug trafficking, a federal offense, were ordered to be incarcerated in a federal penitentiary.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates a penitentiary operating at the federal level, housing individuals convicted of serious federal crimes, emphasizing its role in long-term confinement for major offenses.

• Example 3: The infamous embezzler, after defrauding thousands of investors, was sent to a maximum-security penitentiary to serve a lengthy sentence.

  Explanation: Here, "penitentiary" refers to a secure, long-term correctional facility for someone convicted of a significant financial felony, highlighting its function in holding individuals who have committed serious crimes against the public.