Freedom, Prisons, and the Failure of Punishment, Written by Gideon Adeyeni
When people are placed in violent and dehumanizing prison environments, they often end up joining gangs simply for protection. In doing so, they become more deeply embedded in criminal networks. They leave prison more connected to crime than when they entered, often committing worse offenses and returning for longer sentences. This cycle is not accidental—it is produced by the system.