Penitentiary
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Severity Scale
Penitentiaries generally imply severe punishment and are often reserved for serious offenses. He was incarcerated in a penitentiary for his role in the armed robbery.
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Cultural Depictions
Penitentiaries are portrayed in films and books as places with strict discipline and tough conditions. The movie shows life inside a penitentiary as bleak and harsh.
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Historical Usage
Historically, 'penitentiary' pointed to where inmates repented, hence its religious undertones. The old penitentiary was once a place where prisoners were encouraged to repent.