This documentary focuses on how changing correctional philosophies, cultural traditions, and public attitudes have influenced the history of prisons. This portrayal of the history of prisons notes that all reform efforts, whether oriented toward punishment, rehabilitation, inmate work habits, or incapacitation have degenerated into overcrowded facilities whose conditions and programs have failed to fulfill reform expectations. The most recent effort at rehabilitation was reflected in the philosophy of indeterminate sentencing, whereby an offender's sentence length would depend on progress in rehabilitation while in prison. This philosophy produced longer prison terms that contributed to prison overcrowding. Correctional decisionmaking regarding rehabilitative progress then became associated with the need to release inmates so as to reduce overcrowding. Prisons became more like oppressive factories than therapeutic institutions.