carceral

American  

[kahr-suh-ruhl] / ˈkɑr sə rəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to prison or imprisonment, or to other formal methods of social control.

   This book is a blueprint for policymakers to reform practices and for concerned citizens to understand our changing carceral landscape.

   Critics claim that these policies could result in an expanding carceral state.

---

Etymology

Origin of carceral

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin carcerālis, equivalent to carcer “prison” + -ālis -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Can you tell me more about how integrated the concentration camp system is with the “normal,” “non-emergency” parts of the carceral state?

From Salon

When June Jordan died in 2002, I was being reborn into the world of literature after a five-year prison stint inside the carceral state.

From Salon

The county, which is responsible for the safety of children inside juvenile carceral facilities and foster care, has seen more than 12,000 claims and counting since the law took effect in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times

County’s juvenile hall in Sylmar, Efty Sharony filed a report that said she witnessed conditions worse than anything she’d seen in “over 20 years of experience visiting every level of carceral facility in California.”

From Los Angeles Times

You've also talked a lot about carceral societies and a wide variety of carceral situations.

From Salon