Cárcel vs. prisión
The words "cárcel" and "prisión" are Spanish terms that both widely translate to 'prison' or 'jail' in English. Their usage varies slightly based on region or context, but they generally reference places where individuals are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed.
Cárcel
Cárcel primarily translates to 'jail' in English. It's often used to refer to local, shorter-term facilities where individuals are held while awaiting trial or serving brief sentences.
Juan fue enviado a la cárcel por robar una tienda.
(John was sent to jail for robbing a store.)
La policía llevó al sospechoso a la cárcel local después de su arresto.
(The police took the suspect to the local jail after his arrest.)
Prisión
'Prisión', translating to 'prison', often refers to longer-term state or federal facilities where individuals serve sentences after being convicted of serious crimes.
Fue condenado a diez años de prisión por fraude fiscal.
(He was sentenced to ten years in prison for tax fraud.)
El recluso pasó la mayor parte de su vida adulta en prisión.
(The inmate spent most of his adult life in prison.)
Summary
'Cárcel' and 'prisión' both can be translated into English as 'jail' or 'prison', but their usage varies slightly based on context. 'Cárcel' typically references local, shorter-term facilities, while "'prisión' often refers to longer-term state or federal institutions.