Beyond bars: comparing "prisoner" and "inmate"

What is similar?

Both "prisoner" and "inmate" refer to a person who is confined in a prison or detention facility. They are often used interchangeably in common language to describe individuals who are serving a sentence or are otherwise held in custody.

What is different?

While both terms refer to confined individuals, "prisoner" can have a broader use, often employed in contexts like "prisoner of war" or metaphorically (e.g., "a prisoner of one's own mind"). "Inmate", on the other hand, is specifically used to describe someone residing within an institution (typically a correctional facility). Additionally, "inmate" might sometimes refer to residents of non-penal institutions like mental health facilities or nursing homes, though this usage is less common today.

Which one is more common?