Prisons

Abstract

There are 6.98 million offenders under adult correctional supervision in the United States. Although this figure represents the third year of decline in the adult correctional population, the United States continues to lead industrialized nations in incarceration rates. Since the inception of prisons, there has been substantial debate about their function in society. Early correctional efforts primarily focused on retributive practices that were designed to achieve deterrence. However, penal reformers advocated for humane prisons and treatment of prisoners. Today, considerable debate remains about the function of prisons.