Jail, Prison, Detention – What’s the Difference?

Do you know when to use the words jail, prison, and detention in English? Many learners confuse them, but they mean different things.

Jail is a short-term place where people stay while waiting for trial. For example: He spent two nights in jail.
Prison is for people who are already convicted and usually stay there for a long time. Example: She went to prison for 10 years.
Detention is a mild punishment, often used in schools. You might hear: He got detention for cheating on the test.

These words all describe places of punishment or confinement, but the situations are very different. Knowing how to use them correctly helps you sound more natural and fluent.

Watch the video to hear real-life examples and improve your vocabulary with clear, simple explanations. This is a great way to build confidence and avoid common mistakes in your English learning journey.

Keep practicing with FluentJoy to learn more useful vocabulary and become a confident English speaker, one video at a time!