prison is done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prison is done" is not correct and may be confusing in written English.
It could be interpreted as suggesting that prison is no longer relevant or effective, but the phrasing lacks clarity and context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, many believe that prison is done as a solution for rehabilitation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Soon after she arrived she was threatened by a group of inmates, and felt compelled to ask for "protective solitary", which is exactly the same cold and dark place as punitive solitary except one goes there voluntarily, to the extent that anything in prison is done voluntarily.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Any show that can slow things down for a sing-song then, later, have such disorienting and nightmarish scenes as those within the depths of the prison, is doing something right.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's hard to accept what the prison is doing now.

Vice

Even Freddy (Michael K. Williams), the ruthless former boxing champion with whom Naz aligns himself in prison, is doing the best he can with what he has.

Los Angeles Times

Prison was doing me in.

The New York Times - Magazine

Each weekend, Amin visited his son and when they talked, it sounded as if prison was doing its job.

The Guardian

"The prison was doing some good work to manage its very diverse population and to understand and address the concerns of black and minority ethnic and Muslim prisoners.

BBC

Working in prison was "doing the mission".

Vice

The selection of the prisons was done using – amongst others – that variable.

Crime Science

In 2009 more than three-quarters of prisons were doing well at providing "purposeful activity".

The Economist

Today, the police prisons are doing a brisk business — evidence, the authorities say, of President Dmitri A. Medvedev's drive to clean up corruption.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe your sentence to use grammatically correct alternatives like "prison is over" or "prison sentence is complete" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "prison is done" in formal writing; it can be misinterpreted. Instead, opt for active constructions or more precise language to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is an attempt to express the completion or ineffectiveness of imprisonment. It's typically intended to communicate that the purpose or duration of "prison" has reached its end, or that its utility as a system has expired. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is not correct and may be confusing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "prison is done" might be used informally to suggest the end of a prison term or the ineffectiveness of prisons, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that the phrasing lacks clarity. Instead, it is best to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "prison is over", "the prison sentence has concluded", or "imprisonment is complete". Using such alternatives ensures clarity and professionalism, particularly in formal writing or discussions about prison reform. These clearer options prevent misinterpretation and convey the intended meaning more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prison is over

Simplifies the expression to indicate the end of a prison sentence.

prison term is over

Highlights the termination of the imprisonment period.

prison sentence is complete

Focuses on the full completion of the assigned prison time.

prison stay is finished

Emphasizes the conclusion of the period spent in prison.

prison has concluded

Emphasizes the completion of the prison sentence or its purpose.

incarceration has ended

Uses a more formal term to indicate the termination of imprisonment.

prison phase is complete

Suggests the end of a specific period or stage of imprisonment.

prison stint is done

Uses a more colloquial term for a period of imprisonment.

time in prison is up

An informal way of saying the prison sentence has ended.

confinement is over

Focuses on the cessation of being confined in prison.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "prison is done" to be grammatically correct?

You can use alternatives such as "the prison sentence is over", "incarceration has ended", or "prison is over".

What does "prison is done" mean?

While not grammatically standard, it could imply that a prison sentence has been completed or that the concept of prison as a solution is no longer effective. Context is key.

Is "prison is done" appropriate for formal writing?

No, it is not. Use more formal and grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and professionalism. Examples include "the prison term has concluded" or "the sentence has been served."

What's a more impactful way to say "prison is done" when discussing prison reform?

Consider using phrases like "prison is ineffective" or "alternatives to incarceration are needed" to advocate for change more directly.