What term refers to an individual who is incarcerated?

The term "prisoner" specifically refers to an individual who is incarcerated, meaning they are currently serving a sentence in a correctional facility after being convicted of a crime. This designation clearly indicates that the person is under the custody of the legal system and is confined as a result of their legal status.

While the other options pertain to individuals within the criminal justice system, they have specific contexts that do not capture the full status of incarceration. For example, a "defendant" refers to a person who is being accused of a crime and is involved in a legal proceeding but is not necessarily incarcerated. A "convict" also denotes someone who has been found guilty of a crime; however, this term can sometimes imply a broader context of those who have been sentenced without specifying their current incarceration status. Lastly, an "arrestee" is someone who has been apprehended by law enforcement but has not yet gone through the legal process to determine guilt or incarceration status. Thus, "prisoner" is the most precise and appropriate term for someone currently incarcerated.