The main difference between jail and prison is the length of time a person is held. Jail is a short-term facility that is used to hold people for a few days or weeks, while prison is a long-term facility that is used to hold people for months or even years. In addition, jails are typically local facilities that are managed by local law enforcement, while prisons are typically state or federal facilities that are managed by a corrections department.
Jails are usually used to hold people who are awaiting trial or sentencing, or those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense. Prison, on the other hand, is used to hold people who have been convicted of a felony offense.
Jails tend to have more relaxed security measures than prisons, as they are meant to hold people for a shorter period of time. Prisons, on the other hand, have much stricter security measures, as they are meant to hold people for a longer period of time.
Jails also tend to have fewer amenities than prisons, such as educational and recreational programs. Prisons, on the other hand, usually have more amenities, such as educational and recreational programs.
In summary, the main difference between jail and prison is the length of time a person is held, as well as the security measures and amenities that are available.