inmate / occupant
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inmate
A person who is housed in a closed institution, especially in a prison, psychiatric clinic, or nursing home.
Der Insasse wurde nach zehn Jahren Haft aus dem Gefängnis entlassen.
The inmate was released from prison after ten years of imprisonment.
occupant
A person who is inside a vehicle; a passenger or fellow traveler.
Alle Insassen des Autos konnten sich nach dem Unfall unverletzt befreien.
All occupants of the car were able to free themselves unharmed after the accident.
The word is made up of 'in' (in) and 'Sasse'. 'Sasse' is an old word derived from 'sitzen' (to sit). So an Insasse is literally someone who is 'sitting inside'—whether in a prison or in a car.
Die Insassen des Heims bekommen dreimal am Tag eine Mahlzeit.
The residents of the home receive a meal three times a day.
'Der Insasse' is a masculine noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Die Polizei befragt den Insassen des Wagens.
The police are questioning the occupant of the car.
The context makes clear which meaning is intended. Words like 'Gefängnis' (prison), 'Haft' (imprisonment), or 'Klinik' (clinic) point to a prisoner or patient. Words like 'Auto' (car), 'Unfall' (accident), or 'Fahrzeug' (vehicle) refer to a passenger.
Ein Insasse der psychiatrischen Klinik ist entlaufen.
An inmate of the psychiatric clinic has escaped.
patient
In a psychiatric clinic, the same person can be referred to as a Patient or an Insasse. Patient emphasizes their medical treatment; Insasse refers to their being housed in a closed institution and sounds more institutionalizing. The appropriate choice depends on which role is meant.
Der Insasse ist in der geschlossenen psychiatrischen Klinik untergebracht.
The inmate is housed in the closed psychiatric clinic.
Der Patient wird in der psychiatrischen Klinik medizinisch behandelt.
The patient is receiving medical treatment at the psychiatric clinic.
