A prison for temporary confinement; a Jail; a place for the confinement ofoffenders against the law.There is said to be a distinction between “gaol” and “prison;” the former being aplace for temporary or provisional confinement, or forthe punishment of the lighter offenses and misdemeanors, while the latter is a place forpermanent or long-continued confinement, or for the punishment of graver crimes. Inmodern usage, this distinction is commonly taken between the words “gaol” and”penitentiary,” (or state’s prison.) but the name “prison” is indiscriminately applied toeither.
