Overview

There are millions of individuals incarcerated in the U.S. penal system. Individuals involved in the penal system often carry stigmatizing labels (i.e., inmate, perpetrator, prisoner, convict, juvenile delinquent, felon, offender).  People should not be defined by their involvement in the penal system, and thus, it is best to use person-first language (e.g., person who has been formerly incarcerated). As a note, language recommendations will differ within formal academic contexts related to incarceration (e.g., forensic psychology). The guidance provided here is intended for non-academic contexts.

What to Say and What Not to Say

Say This Not ThisHere's Why  
  • Person formerly in prison
  • Person convicted of a crime 
  • Person in detention
  • Rehabilitated individual 
prisoner/convict/ inmate/ juvenile delinquent/ felon/ offender/perpetrator Avoid language that defines people by their incarceration status, which can be stigmatizing.
Under judicial supervision/ penal supervision Parolee/probationer Avoid language that defines people by their incarceration status, which can be stigmatizing.