Incarceration
/ɪnˌkɑːrsəˈreɪʃən/
nounC1
Definition
Incarceration is when a person is kept in prison or jail because they have broken the law. It is a way that governments use to punish people and keep society safe by stopping criminals from being free. This word usually talks about the time someone spends locked up.
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See It in Action
The act or state of putting someone in prison
- •The judge sentenced him to five years of incarceration for theft.
- •Incarceration rates have increased in many countries.
- •The prisoner’s incarceration ended after good behavior.
The condition of being confined in jail or prison
- •During his incarceration, he learned new skills.
- •Many people feel that long incarceration can change a person’s life.
- •The effects of incarceration on families can be very difficult.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'incarceration' like 'jail' or 'prison,' but it means the state or condition of being there, not just the place.
- ✓Picture a person behind bars or locked doors, unable to leave because of the law.
- ✓It feels like losing freedom because you have to stay inside a building for a time.
- ✓Sounds like 'in-car-ser-RAY-shun' → Imagine someone being put inside a car that drives them to a locked place.
- ✓In stories or movies, incarceration is when a character goes to jail after being caught doing something wrong.
- ✓NOT like 'freedom' (being free), incarceration is the opposite—being kept inside.
- ✓NOT like 'detention' (short time or school punishment), incarceration is usually longer and more serious.
- ✓NOT like 'arrest' (being taken by police), incarceration means staying locked up after arrest and trial.
Try Other Words
- •Imprisonment: the state of being kept in prison (Use when speaking formally about being in prison)
- •Detention: being kept in a place as punishment or for questioning (Use when the time is shorter or less serious)
- •Confinement: being kept inside a place and not allowed to leave (Use when emphasizing the lack of freedom, not always legal)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'in-' (inside) + 'carcer' (Latin for prison) + '-ation' (a noun ending meaning action or state)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'incarcerare,' meaning to put in prison
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to mean the act of putting someone in prison or the state of being imprisoned
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in law, social studies, and discussions about crime and punishment to describe time spent in prison
Reflect & Connect
•How does incarceration affect a person’s life after they leave prison?
•Can incarceration be helpful or harmful to society? Why do you think so?
Fill in the blanks
1.The judge decided that the crime deserved ___ for five years to protect the community.
2.During ___, many prisoners take part in educational programs to improve skills.
3.Unlike a short arrest, ___ means the person stays locked up for a longer ___.
4.Some people believe ___ should focus more on rehabilitation than just punishment.
5.The effects of ___ on families can cause emotional and financial ___.
6.After ___, it is often difficult for people to find jobs and return to normal life.
7.The government is trying to reduce ___ rates by changing laws and policies.