A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A workhouse is a type of jail where people who have committed minor crimes and are serving short sentences are sent to work and live.

Example: John was caught stealing a loaf of bread and was sentenced to two weeks in the workhouse. He had to work long hours doing manual labor and was only given basic food and shelter.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a workhouse is used as a form of punishment for minor crimes. In this case, John was sent to the workhouse for stealing, which is considered a minor offense. While in the workhouse, he was required to work hard and was given only the basic necessities of life. This was meant to deter him from committing any further crimes in the future.