HealthJune 16, 2026
incarceration
/ɪnˌkɑːrsəˈreɪʃən/
Definition
The act of detaining or confining individuals, typically within a prison or jail setting.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'incarcerare,' meaning 'to put into prison,' which comes from 'in-' (into) and 'carcer' (prison or cell). It entered English in the 16th century to describe the state of being imprisoned.
In the news
The word is used by an advocate for Disability Rights Oregon to argue that keeping mentally ill individuals in jail while they wait for hospital beds is an inappropriate, indefinite form of confinement rather than providing necessary treatment.
Portland-area District Attorneys sound alarm on Oregon Mental Health System crisis
Read the full article ↗KATU