The Peruvian prison system consists of the National Institute of Penology and 110 prisons which operate at an average yearly cost of $180 per inmate. Correctional goals are rehabilitation and reintegration. Peru's prisoner population is unevenly distributed, even though the system is centrally organized. Overcrowding occurs because accused persons are imprisoned until their trials and because judges impose exceptionally long sentences. Other than police discretion and parole, the only mechanism for keeping prison populations down is the presidential pardon. Due to overcrowding, conditions in certain prisons are deplorable and inmate rights are frequently ignored. Overcrowding has also resulted in demoralized staff workers and security problems. The effects of overcrowding are discussed in terms of social organization in Peru, the court system, and the criminal justice process. 5 references and 2 notes