state prison

a prison maintained by a state for the confinement of felons.

Origin of state prison

First recorded in 1715–25

Love and a duel are bad enough; but an Austrian state-prison, and a sentence of twenty years in irons, are even worse.

The Fortunes Of Glencore |Charles James Lever
I can quite understand, that he should have no fancy to exchange his pretty villa for a residence in a state-prison.

Quintus Claudius, Volume 2 of 2 |Ernst Eckstein
The empire still retained the fortress of Lourdes as a state-prison, and this character it kept until the return of the Bourbons.

Catholic World, Vol. XI, April 1870-September 1870 |Various
Had you been convicted of the whole crime, we should have sent you to the state-prison for life.

Diary in America, Series One |Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)

In Knowersville, the village teacher went to every house, and threatened the women with state-prison if they dared to vote.

History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III (of III) |Various

State prison

(in the US) a prison where persons convicted of serious crimes are confined