American prisons are facilities designed to hold individuals convicted of crimes. They vary in security levels, including minimum, medium, and maximum security, depending on the severity of the offenses committed. Prisons aim to rehabilitate inmates while ensuring public safety. In the United States, the prison system is part of a larger criminal justice framework that includes law enforcement and the court system. The population in American prisons has grown significantly over the years, leading to discussions about issues such as mass incarceration, prison reform, and the impact of mandatory sentencing laws.