The origin of the word prison comes from the Latin word seize. It is fair to say that the traditional usage of the word prison corresponds well to the origin of the word; because traditionally, prison was a place where people were held while awaiting trial. Today, centuries later, prisons are used today as a very popular and harsh form of punishment offered to those who have been found guilty. With the exception, however, of the death penalty and corporal punishment which are still in force in certain countries. Since prison is a very popular form of punishment used in today's society to combat crime and punish offenders, this essay will then examine whether prison works, drawing on relevant sociological factors. Additionally, it will examine whether punishment could be reinvented, and if so, what would its implications be? The use of prison as a form of punishment began to become popular in the early 19th century. In fact, transport to the colonies had begun to decline; transport consisted of the expulsion of an individual, in this case an offender, from his country to another country; usually for a period of seven to ten years and in some cases forever. By this time, prison was now being used as a means of punishment, in response to the decline of transportation to the colonies. So instead of transporting offenders to other colonies, they were now locked behind the high prison walls. Coyle (2005). To say whether using prison as a form of punishment helps solve the problem of crime, we must first consider the purposes of prison. The primary objective of the prison is that of protecting the public through the neutralization of offenders; this is considered the sole objective...... middle of article...... Abingdon, Oxon 0X14.4RN: Routledge.Foucault, M. (1995) Discipline and punishment The birth of the prison [en line] . 2nd ed. United States: Penguin Books, Ltd. [Accessed January 1, 2014]. The Prison Reform Trust. (2013) Prison: the facts Bromley Briefings Summer. Available at: http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Prisonthefacts.pdf [Accessed 1 January 2014].Sue Rex, A. and Robinson, G. (2004) Alternative to Prison Options For an Uncertain society. UK: Willan Publishing. Verkaik, R. (2006) The big question: what are the alternatives to prison and do they work? The Independent [online] October 10. Available from: Johnstone, G. and Ness, D. (2007) Restorative Justice Handbook. United States: Willan Publishing. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/the-big-question-what-are-the-alternatives-to-prison-and-do-they-work-419388.html [Accessed on January 1 2014].