state and federal prison systems

The state and federal prison systems are parts of the U.S. correctional system that imprison individuals who commit crimes. State prisons handle offenders convicted of state law violations, such as theft or assault, and are operated by state governments. Federal prisons incarcerate those convicted of federal offenses, like drug trafficking or crimes crossing state lines, and are managed by the federal Bureau of Prisons. While both serve similar purposes—punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety—they differ mainly by the types of crimes and jurisdictions they serve.