Prisoners: meaning, definitions and examples

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prisoners

 

[ˈprɪz.ə.nərz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in law enforcement

People who are held in captivity against their will as a form of punishment for committing a crime. Prisoners may be incarcerated for a specific period of time or for life, depending on the severity of their offense.

Synonyms

captives, convicts, detainees, inmates.

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Word Description / Examples
prisoners

General term for people held in prison or captivity, often used in a broad sense.

  • The prisoners are allowed one hour of exercise each day
  • During the war, many soldiers were taken as prisoners
inmates

People who are confined in a prison or similar institution, commonly referred to within the context of life inside prisons.

  • The inmates are allowed to call their families once a week
  • The new warden introduced programs to help inmates earn diplomas
convicts

People who have been found guilty of a crime by a court of law and are serving a sentence, often emphasizes their criminal record.

  • The convicts were transferred to a maximum-security prison
  • The prison program aims to rehabilitate convicts
detainees

People who are held in custody, often before they have been charged or sentenced, common in legal or immigration scenarios.

  • The police have several detainees in custody for questioning
  • Immigration authorities are processing the detainees
captives

Refers to someone who has been captured and is being held against their will, often in the context of war or kidnapping.

  • The rebels took several captives during the conflict
  • The hostages were held as captives for months

Examples of usage

  • The prisoners were escorted back to their cells after the court hearing.
  • He spent years visiting prisoners in the local jail, offering them support and guidance.
  • The government announced a new initiative to reduce the number of prisoners in overcrowded prisons.
  • She felt a sense of compassion for the prisoners, understanding that many of them had faced difficult circumstances in their lives.
  • The documentary shed light on the living conditions of prisoners in the country's most notorious prison.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'prison' comes from the Latin 'prensio,' which means 'to take' or 'to capture.'
  • Throughout history, prisons have evolved from dungeons and castles to modern correctional facilities designed for rehabilitation.
  • In ancient civilizations, prisoners were often enslaved or used as laborers rather than confined in specific buildings.

Cultural Representation

  • Literature often explores themes of imprisonment, with famous works like 'Les Misérables' showcasing the struggles and redemption of a former prisoner.
  • Films such as 'The Shawshank Redemption' depict the challenges and camaraderie found among prisoners, influencing public perceptions about incarceration.
  • Art from various cultures often symbolizes freedom and imprisonment, highlighting the emotional impact on individuals' lives.

Psychology

  • Research shows that the experience of incarceration can deeply affect a person’s mental health, leading to conditions like anxiety and depression.
  • Being imprisoned can change brain chemistry, often requiring therapeutic support to help reintegrate into society post-release.
  • Studies indicate that education and rehabilitation programs within prisons can improve chances of re-offending after release.

Statistics

  • Globally, the prison population has been steadily increasing, with the United States having one of the highest incarceration rates in the world.
  • In many countries, gender disparity in incarceration rates is evident, with significantly fewer women being imprisoned compared to men.
  • Recidivism rates, or the likelihood of returning to prison, vary widely by location, but many jurisdictions report figures between 50-75% within three years of release.

Legal Perspectives

  • The concept of 'innocent until proven guilty' plays a crucial role in how prisoners are treated, emphasizing the need for fair trials.
  • Many legal systems have mechanisms in place for reviewing wrongful convictions, highlighting the importance of justice and due process.
  • International law treats prisoners' rights as fundamental, insisting on humane conditions and the need for rehabilitation instead of punishment.

Translations

Translations of the word "prisoners" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prisioneiros

🇮🇳 कैदी

🇩🇪 Gefangene

🇮🇩 narapidana

🇺🇦 в'язні

🇵🇱 więźniowie

🇯🇵 囚人

🇫🇷 prisonniers

🇪🇸 prisioneros

🇹🇷 mahkumlar

🇰🇷 수감자

🇸🇦 السجناء

🇨🇿 vězni

🇸🇰 väzni

🇨🇳 囚犯

🇸🇮 ujetniki

🇮🇸 fangar

🇰🇿 тұтқындар

🇬🇪 ტყვეები

🇦🇿 məhbuslar

🇲🇽 prisioneros

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,007, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.