Inmate: meaning, definitions and examples

Inmate is commonly used to refer to someone residing in a prison or jail but can also refer to residents of other institutional settings, such as a mental health facility. The term is neutral and does not imply guilt or innocence.

• The inmate was allotted a cell in the upper block.
• She works as a counselor for inmates at the state penitentiary.

Prisoner is a common term for someone who is confined in a prison, regardless of their legal status or the nature of their confinement. It can be used in both neutral and negative contexts.

• The prisoner is allowed one hour of outdoor exercise each day.
• During the war, many soldiers were taken as prisoners.

Convict specifically refers to someone who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence. This term has a more negative connotation as it denotes a confirmed criminal status.

• Many convicts find it difficult to reintegrate into society after their release.
• The judge sentenced the convict to ten years in prison.

Detainee is typically used to describe a person held in custody, often without formal charges, such as those in immigration detention centers or under other forms of administrative detention. It is neutral in tone and does not imply guilt.

• The detainee was held for questioning by immigration authorities.
• Human rights organizations are concerned about the treatment of detainees.