1.
imprisonment, penal servitude
A criminal sentence requiring confinement in prison, typically involving mandatory labor.
Usage
In the Japanese legal system, 懲役 involves imprisonment with mandatory labor, as distinguished from 禁錮 (imprisonment without labor). It is the most common form of custodial sentence in Japan.
Common collocations
- 懲役〜年 (~ years' imprisonment)
- 懲役刑 (prison sentence)
- 実刑 (actual prison time, as opposed to a suspended sentence)
- 執行猶予付き (with suspended execution)
Note on sentencing
懲役3年、執行猶予5年 means the prison term is suspended for 5 years — the person does not go to prison unless they commit another offense during that period.