Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

I guess "demiprison" below is wrong, but I can not figure out what the writer mistook it for.

bridewell \BRYD-wel\ (noun) - A prison

"Men arrested for crimes such as trespass, public intoxication, lewdness, and domestic violence could be confined to the demiprison of the bridewell."

After a prison that formerly stood near the church of St. Bride in London during 1545-55.
_________________
Hiromichi

[CP]

Apparently "demiprison" is not a French or English word, but I am guessing that the author has coined the term to convey the image that people arrested for these minor crimes could be sent to a small prison, as opposed to one that would hold major criminals. ("Demi" means "half" and therefore "small.")

In the U.S.A., there are county jails, where arrestees are confined and where people given short sentences (under one year) are kept. Then there are state and federal prisons, where people given longer sentences are housed. Naturally, bigger crimes merit longer sentences, and so prisons are more restrictive than jails, generally.

A U.S. jail might, therefore, be thought of as a demiprison.

"Penitentiary" is also used to refer to prisons. The confined person is supposed to repent, be a penitent, which is how the penitentiary was named.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hiromichi]

CP, Thank you very much for your clear explanation as usual. I am now knowledgeable about prisons and jails, also penitentiaries where probably I will not spend any time in my life.
_________________
Hiromichi

[CP]

Yes, I agree. I will do anything, even obey the law, to avoid prison, jail, or even uninvited conversations with policemen.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb