Incarcerated

To be incarcerated means to be confined in a jail or prison; to be locked up. This confinement is typically ordered by a court or legal authority as punishment for a crime or pending trial. The term emphasizes the deprivation of freedom and liberty. Incarceration can range from short-term detention to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. It implies the separation of an individual from society and restricts their access to the outside world, emphasizing control and supervision within a secure setting.

Incarcerated meaning with examples

• Following the trial, the defendant was incarcerated for five years, as the judge deemed his actions a serious threat to public safety. He spent his days working in the prison library, maintaining a semblance of normalcy. His family visited regularly, providing support and maintaining ties, making the conditions slightly more bearable until his eventual release.
• The journalist's exposé on government corruption led to widespread public outrage, and the officials involved were quickly incarcerated pending investigation. Many people called for the offenders to spend an extended period inside. The incarcerated officials faced extensive scrutiny within their cells. The investigation and subsequent trial kept the public's attention for months.
• The juvenile offender, after multiple warnings, was incarcerated at a detention center following the theft of a car. His parents had tried every possible means to get him to obey. Incarceration was a tough lesson, designed to steer him away from a life of crime, as the conditions provided a strict structure and supervision. Therapy sessions also were provided during this tough time.
• During the civil war, political dissidents were often incarcerated without trial, creating a climate of fear. The oppressive regime, aiming to quell any opposition, used incarceration as a tool of control. This situation allowed them to keep order, even though many people who should not have been in prison at all were behind bars. These actions were heavily criticized internationally.