The United States is known for the safety and security over its people. The government does not take crime lightly, that's why the prison system was introduced. Over the years the crime rate in the Unites States has steadily increased. The issue the government now faces is the overcrowding in all prisons. Right on Crime covers the issues that the prison system is currently faced with. Due to the overcrowding in all prisons a highly justified issue and possibly one of the main problems, "Thousands of harmless activities are now classified as crimes" (ROC). In order to solve the issues we must first face them head on. .
During the early century's punishment for those who committed crimes were considered abominations to their people. Big rallies were held for all to see what shame criminals brought onto themselves. Prison was not necessarily considered punishment; it was more of a waiting area for prisoners before they received their real punishment. Death was considered the greatest punishment anyone could receive, and it wasn't taken serious like it is now. As time passed different methods of punishment evolved. The Howard League for Penal Reform or HLPR is a national charity whose sole purpose is to lower the crime rate in the United States, they not only help those in need they give information about the prison system that most people are oblivious to. Howard League explains the development of the prison system through a large back ground of information on how exactly 'prison' was formed. During the mid-eighteenth century hard labor was considered the ultimate punishment. Prisoners were sent to large ships which were called Prison Hulks. These ship were known for their poor physical conditions and lack of maul nutrition. Hard Labor during this time was an understatement, not only did prisoners work on the ships they experienced labor during the day then once night fall came that's when their work on the ships began.