Final answer:
A less secure institution for nonviolent offenders providing more opportunities for outside contact is a minimum-security prison, focusing on rehabilitation and resocialization with programs for reintegration.
Step-by-step explanation:
A less secure institution that houses nonviolent offenders and provides more opportunities for contact with the outside world is referred to as a minimum-security prison or a minimum-security facility. These institutions focus on rehabilitation and resocialization, offering inmates a range of programs such as education, vocational training, and work opportunities that aim to prepare them for reintegration into society.
Unlike maximum-security prisons, which are designed to restrict the movement of dangerous offenders, minimum-security prisons have fewer restrictions and allow more freedom to inmates who pose a lower security risk. These facilities often have dormitory-like housing instead of cells and may allow for greater family contact and community interaction.
The contrast between jails, which are temporary holding facilities, and prisons, which house those convicted of more serious offenses, is important to note. While jails offer limited opportunities for engagement, prisons can vary greatly in the level and types of services provided. This division is linked to factors such as the nature of the crime, inmate behavior, and the resources available to the institution.