Crime is a problem that plagues this society today. Any time that anyone turns the television on these days, and flips on the news there are talks of murders, rapes, drug-rings, and things of this nature. Something needs to be done about it. Some would say that the prison system is doing something about the problem. The prison system in this country is an absolute joke. They are doing just the opposite, which is positively nothing, with the exception of draining millions of tax dollars out of the pockets of honest, hardworking Americans. These decent Americans put themselves out in society and stress themselves to an absolute breaking point, all for a check that they earned that has a potential to be a substantial amount larger without the taxes that they have to endure to pay for the prisons. These prisons are nothing more than institutions where inmates can learn how to commit crimes, in short "crime schools". The crime rate in this country is so high and with the criminals being captured and sentenced to prison they are essentially being educated in prison. They .
can be released after they serve their time and are much more likely to commit another crime and this time with a bit more knowledge behind them of what and what not to do. This is what taxpayers are getting for their hard-earned money that they have to cough up to the government every year? The prison system also offers work out facilities, cable TV, a steady meal program, what person that is living on the streets wouldn't want to get into one of these places. They may not have their freedom anymore but all their basic needs are met and more. What really should be done is once a crime is committed a punishment is given that will suite the crime. This would send a message to other criminals that are thinking of committing crimes, that the US will be cracking down on crime and that violators will be severely punished for their actions.