According to psychology.about.com, punishment refers to any change that occurs after a behavior that reduces the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. One of the most common forms of punishment is prison. The purposes of imprisonment are often cited as incapacitation and punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation, and retribution, but views differ as to the relative importance and priority of each (Sinclair) . As we all know, criminal justice remains a politically important issue in today's society. Some may say that prison works because it takes offenders off the street and puts them in cells. Others, however, argue that this method fails either because it does not appear to do much to prevent offenders from reoffending soon after. So, with incapacitation and punishment, there is deterrence and rehabilitation. The idea of ​​rehabilitation through imprisonment is that an incarcerated person will never be returned to prison after being released. Unfortunately, research has consistently demonstrated that time spent in prison fails to rehabilitate most inmates, and that the majority of criminals return almost immediately to a life of crime (rehabilitative effects of imprisonment). Prisons are now beginning to hire psychiatrists to help resolve criminals' psychological disorders and problems. In collaboration with psychiatrists, prisons create classrooms allowing inmates to learn while incarcerated. The rehabilitation of prisoners is an extremely difficult process. Teaching people useful skills requires manpower and space (Stuffed). Inmates are isolated from the general public and forced to live in a society with people who view crime as a way of life. It's good to see that some prisons in the United States are trying to educate inmates, but it ultimately doesn't pay off. The intentions of imprisonment in the United States are incapacitation and punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation, and retribution, but this often does not seem to work. I believe the justice system should be stricter and more educational. This would address overcrowding in prisons and keep all people out of prison. If the system threatened most Class X crimes with the death penalty, offenders would either get back on their feet or be put to death. According to CriminalLawyerIllinois.com, a Class X felony in Illinois includes aggravated kidnapping; aggravated battery with a firearm; aggravated battery on a child; home invasion; aggravated criminal sexual assault; predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (over 17 years of age and victim under 13 years of age); armed robbery; aggravated vehicle hijacking; aggravated arson; possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (such as 15 to 100 grams or possession with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a public park, church, school or public housing). I know this almost sounds like a communist and looking at things it would be wise to take a more liberal view. The death penalty for most Class X crimes, including aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated battery of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory.