penitentiary

nouns

a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
pen, penitentiary

adjectives

used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers
"penitentiary institutions"
penitentiary
is derived from
penitence
is similar to
inflicting punishment
"punitive justice"; "punitive damages"
punitive, punitory
showing or constituting penance
"penitential tears"; "wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"
penitential, penitentiary