Every civilization in history has had rules and citizens who break them. Even today, governments struggle to find the best way to deal with their criminals in a way that helps both society and those who commit these crimes. Imprisonment has historically been the popular solution. However, there are many cases where people are sent to prison who would be better served for community service, rehabilitation, or some other form of punishment. Prison doesn't just affect the prisoner; prisoners' families, friends, employers and communities also pay a price. Prison as punishment has its pros and cons; while it may be necessary for some, it can be harmful to those who would be better suited to alternative means of punishment. What are prisons for? This is a question that must be asked to understand the problems affecting prisons. Prisons perform two main functions; separation and rehabilitation. Criminals cannot be allowed to hang around with everyone else without being punished; they must be separated from society. The thought of going to prison helps deter most people from crime. Rehabilitation is the main goal of prison; turning a bad person into a good person the moment they are released. These seem like simple and simple functions, but lately some believe that prisons in the United States have failed in their attempts to segregate and rehabilitate. Not only do prisons separate criminals from the innocent to be effective, according to Lappin and Greene. , they must also separate the criminals from the worst criminals. Those sentenced to prison for nonviolent crimes should not be housed with violent offenders. “Unfortunately, our prisons are becoming increasingly overcrowded maki… middle of paper… policy options for abusers. (The field works). Politics and Practice, 33-34. Lappin, H. G., & Greene, J. (2006). Are prisons fair? In C. Hanrahan (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: American Prisons (pp. 51-98). Detroit: Bonnie Szumski.Muhlhausen, D.B., Dyer, C.C., McDonough, J.R., Nadlemann, E., & Walters, R. (2006). Do prisons protect public safety? In C. Hanrahan (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: American Prisons (pp. 16-48). Detroit: Bonnie Szumski.Shaw, V.N. (1998). Productive work: secondary objective but primary activity. Prison Journal, (78), 186.Trachtenberg, B. (2009, February). Prison politics strikes: Exploding prison population undermines US justice system. ABA Journal, 66.Young, M. G. (1998, July). Rethinking community resistance to prison siting: Findings from a community impact assessment. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 323-325.