What is a Penitentiary?
A penitentiary is a prison or correctional facility that houses people who have been convicted of a crime. The origin of the word “penitentiary” means “to repent” or give penitence for a transgression. While the modern penitentiary continues to house inmates as a form of punishment, its historical counterpart was based on harsher theories of incarceration than those most common in the early 21st century. The modern penitentiary often focuses less on exacting grueling punishment and more on rehabilitation, providing its inmates with treatment and education along with their incarceration when possible. There are a number of competing interests and goals with regard to sentencing that help define the penitentiary. One major goal is satisfying the need for retribution so citizens do not take punishment into their own hands. Another goal is deterrence — keeping order in society — and providing a disincentive for inmates to reoffend. The goal of rehabilitation is a more modern notion and is
