Who is referred to as an inmate?

An inmate is defined specifically as a person who is confined within a detention or holding facility. This term is typically used to refer to individuals who are incarcerated in jails or prisons, meaning they are serving time for a crime, awaiting trial, or are held for other legal reasons. The distinction is important because it clarifies the legal status and physical confinement of the individual.

While individuals under probation supervision, those awaiting trial, or offenders on parole may experience various levels of legal supervision or restrictions, they are not classified as inmates unless they are physically detained in a facility. Thus, calling someone contained in a detention or holding facility as an inmate provides a clear understanding of their status in the justice system. This definition does not apply to those who are free but monitored in the community, like probationers or parolees, as they are not currently serving time in a detention facility.