Originally Posted by
DavidSh
In the US currently, jail is for people awaiting trial who were unable to obtain release on bail, and for people sentenced to less than a year. Prison is for longer sentences. Jails are typically city or county-run, while prisons are state or federal. For example, in New York City, Rikers Island is a city jail. Up the river, Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a state prison.