Which term describes the process of temporarily releasing someone from custody?

The term that describes the process of temporarily releasing someone from custody is bail. Bail allows an accused individual to secure their release from jail while awaiting trial, under the condition that they will return for future court appearances. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant does not pose a flight risk and is committed to facing the legal process.

In contrast to bail, an inquest refers to a judicial inquiry to ascertain the cause of a person's death, often in suspicious or unexplained cases. Instigation involves encouraging or provoking someone to commit an offense, and subpoena is a legal document that orders an individual to attend court or produce evidence. Thus, while these terms are related to legal procedures, they do not pertain to the temporary release of someone from custody, making bail the correct choice.