state prison

American  

noun

1. a prison maintained by a state for the confinement of felons.

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State prison British  

noun

1. (in the US) a prison where persons convicted of serious crimes are confined

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Etymology

Origin of state prison

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

Funston, granted parole earlier this month, was set to be released on Thursday from state prison — but was rearrested that same day on new charges from a decades-old, untried case.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

But given his scheduled release from state prison, prosecutors decided to file new charges against him.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Barber was sentenced to more than 10 years in state prison on June 20.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

It’s a reasonable request, and the border czar credited the state prison system for honoring ICE detainers, as Gov. Tim Walz wrote Tuesday in these pages that Minnesota does.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

The bill created dozens of new federal capital crimes, mandated life sentences for some “three-strikers,” and authorized more than $16 billion for state prison grants and expansion of state and local police forces.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander