X
MOV File
Online Collections

prisons


Details
Term Type

Art & Architecture Thesaurus

Preferred Term

prisons

Details

Buildings or other facilities to which people are legally committed as punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial. In North America, the term specifically denotes a facility run by the state or federal government for those who have been convicted of serious crimes, in contrast to a locally run facility for those awaiting trial or convicted of minor offences. As developed since the late 18th century, prisons are generally characterized by cell and corridor plans with separation by offense and sex, and programs of rehabilitation provided as means toward prisoner reform. Use "jails" for places for offenders sentenced either for lesser crimes or relatively short terms.

Variations

houses, penitentiary

penitentiaries

penitentiaries

penitentiary houses

Newgates

newgates

prison

Related Events
Related People
Related Literature
Related Terms
Related Artworks
Media
IMLS logoNEA logoNEH logo

The Portland Art Museum’s Online Collections site is brought to you thanks to support provided by the State of Oregon through its second Culture, History, Arts, Movies, and Preservation funding program and generous awards from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts.