Legal Definitions - correctional institution

A correctional institution is a place where convicted criminals, especially felons, are confined as punishment for their crimes. It is also known as a prison, penitentiary, or penal institution. The purpose of a correctional institution is to rehabilitate the inmates and prevent them from committing further crimes.

• A state prison where a person is sent to serve a sentence for a serious crime like murder or robbery.
• A federal penitentiary where a person is sent to serve a sentence for a federal crime like drug trafficking or tax evasion.
• A private prison that is managed by a private company instead of a government agency.

The examples illustrate the different types of correctional institutions that exist. State and federal prisons are run by the government and are responsible for incarcerating criminals who have committed serious crimes. Private prisons, on the other hand, are managed by private companies and are often criticized for their profit-driven approach to incarceration.