The project included open access to all facilities in 6 Cuban prisons, and confidential interviews with more than 120 current and released prisoners. Of the total interviews, more than 40 were conducted with prisoners the U.S. Delegation selected in advance. Fifty interviews took place with prisoners incarcerated for politically motivated offenses, such as illegal exit from the country. The philosophy of Cuban penology is discussed, and preliminary observations about the Cuban prison system are presented.