In the 1970s and 1980s, massive numbers of inmates began to fill the American prison system. This enormous growth rate in such a short period of time has contributed greatly to the prison overcrowding that the United States faces today. In fact, the prisons are always full to bursting. This huge influx of inmates has made it virtually impossible for prison officials to monitor their facilities and supervise their inmates. One of the main reasons many prisons have become overcrowded is the harshness of state criminal laws and parole practices (Cohen). “One in 100 American adults is behind bars, representing the highest incarceration rate in the world” (Cohen). The number of inmates in correctional systems across the country skyrocketed to 708 percent between 1972 and 2008. Today, approximately 145,000 inmates occupy areas designed for only 80,000 people (Posner). Peter Mosko, "assistant professor of law, police science and criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York" (Frazier) said: "America, with 2.3 million people behind bars, has more prisoners than soldiers” (Frazier). Some studies have shown “there are more men and women in prison than ever before.” The number of prisoners increased by an average of 1,600 per week. The United States has the highest crime rate in the world” (Clark). Because of this influx of inmates, many prisoners' rights groups have filed lawsuits, accusing "overcrowded prisons of violating the Constitution's 8th Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment" (Clark). It is clear that the American prison system must be reformed to eliminate this problem. Prison overcrowding is a serious problem in society as it affects prisons...... middle of paper ......anointed Resource Center. Gale of wind. Ironwood High School. October 26, 2011. http://find.galegroup.com Haney, Craig. “Prison overcrowding: harmful consequences and dysfunctional reactions. » Veradc.org. Internet. October 27, 2011. www.veradc.org. Howard, John. “The effects of prison overcrowding”. Patrick Crusade. John Howard Society of Alberta, May 2002. Web. November 1, 2011. http://www.patrickcrusade.org O'Leary, Mary E. "Union: State Prisons Overcrowded, Dangerous for Staff and Inmates." » New Haven Register (New Haven, CT) (August 23, 2011): NA. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale of wind. Ironwood High School. October 26, 2011. http://find.galegroup.comPosner, Michael. “In California's overcrowded prisons. (International News). Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada) (June 16, 2011): A14. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale of wind. Ironwood High School. October 26, 2011. http://find.galegroup.com