Prison Industrial Complex

/ˈprɪz.ən ɪnˈdʌs.tri.əl ˈkɒm.pleks/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A socio-economic system involving the overlapping interests of government and private industry in the expansion and maintenance of incarceration facilities.
    Critics argue that the prison industrial complex incentivizes policies that increase incarceration rates.

Forms

  • prison industrial complex

Commentary

The term highlights the intersection of profit motives and incarceration policy; useful in critiques of prison privatization and systemic incarceration trends.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app