penitentiary

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   A state or federal prison for convicted felons; (loosely) a prison.
2. 2
   A priest in the Roman Catholic Church who administers the sacrament of penance.
3. 3
   One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
4. 4
   One who does penance.
5. 5
   A small building in a monastery, or a part of a church, where penitents confessed.
6. 6
   An office of the papal court which examines cases of conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc., and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc.; run by a cardinal called the Grand Penitentiary who is appointed by the pope.
7. 7
   An officer in some dioceses since 1215, vested with power from the bishop to absolve in cases reserved to him.

Adjective

1. 1
   Of or relating to penance; penitential.
2. 2
   Of or relating to the punishment of criminals.