Jail System

The jail system is part of the justice system designed to hold individuals who are accused or convicted of crimes. Its primary purpose is to ensure public safety, serve as a detention space during legal proceedings, and facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders. Jails are typically operated by local governments and are used for short-term confinement, usually awaiting trial or sentencing. They differ from prisons, which house individuals serving longer-term sentences. The system involves intake, classification, confinement, and eventual release or transfer, with rules aimed at maintaining order and respecting individuals’ rights while addressing community safety.