This article refers to an imprisoned person. For the television programs, see Prisoner (TV series) and The Prisoner.

An example of a prisoner.

A prisoner is a person incarcerated in a prison or similar facility, typically for violating laws. Soldiers in wartime may also be held as prisoners of war by an enemy force. Prisoners have few rights, and are forced to comply with the orders of their jailers.

See also

• crime
• false imprisonment
• incarceration
• jail
• judicial system
• law
• legislative system
• political prisoner
• prison
• prison abolition movement
• prison labor
• prisoner of war
• probation