prisoner

An individual involuntarily confined in a penal institution, including persons: (1) sentenced under a criminal or civil statue; (2) detained pending arraignment, trial, or sentencing; and (3) detained in other facilities (e.g., for drug detoxification or treatment of alcoholism) under statutes or commitment procedures providing such alternatives to criminal prosecution or incarceration in a penal institution. Individuals are prisoners if they are in any kind of penal institution such as a prison, jail, or juvenile offender facility, and their ability to leave the institution is restricted. See: Definitions section of GUIDANCE Prisoners for additional and explanatory details.