ABSTRACT
In contrast to many parts of the world, the term prison in the United Kingdom is generic, encompassing an environment detaining people who have been convicted of an offense or are charged with one. In many parts of the world the systems are separate, and the terms jail and prison are used to differentiate populations. In the United States the term jail is used for those who are charged with an offense and the term prison is for those who have been convicted. In many local prisons in England and Wales there is some mixing of the remand and sentenced population, particularly when prisoners have short sentences or there is a need for the prisoner to remain in the local area.
