penitentiaries

adjective

1. of or for penance
2. used in punishing, disciplining, and reforming
3. making one liable to imprisonment in a penitentiary
4. of or in a penitentiary

noun pl. penitentiaries

1. 1. a prison
   2. ☆ a state or federal prison for persons convicted of serious crimes
2. an office or tribunal headed by a cardinal () and dealing with matters of penance, confession, dispensation, absolution, etc.