1. relating to or denoting imprisonment or prisons
Usage: formal; often used in academic or policy contexts

Examples

• The carceral system in the United States has been criticized for overcrowding.
• Scholars study the carceral state and its effects on marginalized communities.
• Carceral institutions include prisons, jails, and detention centers.
• The carceral landscape has expanded significantly over the past few decades.
• Reformers advocate for alternatives to carceral punishment.
• Carceral policies have disproportionately affected certain populations.