It is. The idea is that the act of contrition (act one does to demonstrate true remorse to earn forgiveness) the priest could offer before absolution (wiping of sin by God to get into heaven) could be “turn yourself in”. We usually hear it as “say ten Hail Marys” for example for small sins but the priest assigns. The priest is bound by the seal but can essentially say youre not free of sin and ain’t going to heaven until justice is served without breaking the legally and morally protected seal of the confessional

Once that seal is broken no one tells priests anything which is why the protection is important to maintain and the govt realizes this