For as long as prisons have existed, people have asked what role they should play in our society. Should they be solely dedicated to punishing those who have broken the law, or do they also have a role to play in the rehabilitation of criminals, so they can contribute more productively when they return to society? This book looks at prison conditions and the American criminal justice system to help readers gain a deeper understanding of how prisoners are treated, while weighing what some argue are necessary changes to today's prisons. Sidebars, a glossary, and full-color photographs aid students in more fully comprehending the many sides of this ongoing debate.