house of correction

noun

1. a place for the confinement and reform of persons convicted of minor offenses and not regarded as confirmed criminals.

house of correction

noun

1. (formerly) a place of confinement for persons convicted of minor offences

Word History and Origins

Origin of house of correction¹

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

So you think you deserved your house-of-correction turn, while another was only suffering the blackest injustice?

From Project Gutenberg