Every day, citizens of the United States and Canada see television dramas and movies about criminals and prisons, but the real world of incarceration remains hidden from most people's experience.

This book explores the realities of overcrowding, disease, violence, and abuse in penal institutions. It considers multiple perspectives: that of social scientists, victims, prison workers, and the prisoners themselves. This look behind the bars of North America's incarceration facilities is often disturbing, yet it is well documented and thought provoking. Prison Conditions shows the tough realities, offering a well-balanced perspective on some of the most vital issues confronting society today.