What is the difference between jail and prison?

Answer by  choctaw (361)

Jail is a place that is temporary. People are serving short sentences or waiting for court. Prison is a place for long term sentences set by trial judges.

Answer by  jones27 (11)

Jail is a "holding cell" before individuals are sent to prison. Jail is a temporary assignment. Once the individual is deemed guilty by the court; they are sent to prison.

Answer by  Marsha (2337)

Nothing - those 2 words mean the same thing. They can be used interchangeably. They are synonyms. They both mean you are locked up and can't get out.