Prisoner facts for kids
A prisoner is someone who is held in a prison or jail. This happens when a person is arrested, often because they are suspected of doing something wrong. They might be kept in prison to make sure they don't leave before their case is heard in court. If a person is found responsible for a serious wrongdoing, they might be sent to prison as a consequence.
A prisoner of war is a person who was captured by the enemy during a war.
Contents
Understanding What a Prisoner Is
A prisoner is a person who is legally held against their will. This usually happens in a prison or jail. People become prisoners for different reasons, often related to following the law. The main goal of prisons is to keep society safe and to make sure justice is served.
Why People Become Prisoners
People can become prisoners for a few main reasons. It often depends on whether they are suspected of a wrongdoing or if they have been found responsible for one. The legal system decides who goes to prison and for how long.
Held Before a Court Case
Sometimes, a person is held in jail because they are suspected of doing something wrong. This happens before their case goes to court. The reason for holding them is to make sure they don't leave or cause more problems before their trial. A trial is when a judge or jury listens to all the facts to decide what happened.
Held After Being Found Responsible
If a person is found responsible for a serious wrongdoing, they might be sent to prison. This is a consequence for their actions. Being a prisoner for a long time is one way the law tries to teach people about their responsibilities and keep communities safe. This period in prison is often called a sentence.
What is a Prisoner of War?
A prisoner of war (often called a POW) is a special kind of prisoner. These are people, usually soldiers, who are captured by the enemy during a war. International rules, like the Geneva Conventions, protect prisoners of war. These rules say how they should be treated, ensuring they receive humane care and are not harmed.
Images for kids
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Gustave Doré's image of the exercise yard at Newgate Prison (1872)
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To Visit the Imprisoned by Flemish artist Cornelis de Wael c. 1640
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A scene in Newgate Prison, London
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Inmates in a prison yard
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US Marshals and prisoners on board a Con Air flight
