Bridewells are synonymous with several other terms, including jails, prisons, and penitentiaries. These are all places where individuals are held in custody after being convicted of a crime or while awaiting trial. Bridewells were historically used as a form of punishment for minor offenses, often serving as a type of workhouse for vagrants and petty criminals. Other synonyms for bridewells include detention centers, correctional facilities, and half-way houses. Despite different names, the purpose remains the same: to protect society from those who have violated the law and to provide rehabilitation opportunities for offenders.