holding cell

• Cellule ou local de courte durée où l'on retient des personnes appréhendées dans un commissariat, un palais de justice ou une prison, en attendant leur audition, leur transfert ou leur libération.

A temporary detention room in a police station, courthouse, or prison where individuals are kept for a short period before being processed, transferred, or released.

1. Temporary detention roomB2formal

   A small room in a police station or courthouse where people are kept temporarily before being moved to a larger prison or released.

   cellule de dégrisement / cellule de garde à vue temporaire

   • The suspect was placed in a holding cell until his hearing.
   • The police station has several holding cells for overnight detainees.
   • He spent a few hours in a holding cell before being released on bail.