Okuzeka
Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Prisons, Probation & Parole

Inmate

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈɪnmeɪt/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, inmate means: A person who is kept in a prison, whether they have been convicted or are waiting for trial.

In Turkish: hükümlü, tutuklu, mahpus

How it is used

Very common in American English and in reports about prison conditions: 'inmates', 'fellow inmates', 'inmate population'. British English more often says 'prisoner'. Officials talk about the 'welfare', 'rights' and 'transfer' of inmates.

Example sentences

  1. The prison holds about 900 inmates.

  2. Inmates can take courses in carpentry and cooking.

  3. He shared a room with two other inmates.

Common collocations

  • fellow inmates
  • inmate population
  • release an inmate
  • former inmate
  • prisonA secure building where people are kept as punishment after a conviction or while they wait for their trial.
  • paroleEarly release of a prisoner before the end of the sentence, on condition that they obey certain rules; they can be sent back to prison if they do not.
  • rehabilitationThe process of helping an offender change their behaviour and return to a normal life without committing more crimes.
  • serve a sentenceTo spend the period of punishment that a court has ordered, especially time in prison.

More terms: Prisons, Probation & Parole

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.