Despite the norms outlined in the United Nations Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Offenders and those of the Council of Europe, as well as national legislation, penitentiary practice often does not fulfill its basic mission of denying liberty while not inflicting unduly harsh suffering, attempting to socially reintegrate inmates, and treating inmates with humanity. The author calls upon citizens, acting individually or through nongovernmental organizations, to offer help to prisoners so that they may realize noncriminal aspirations. The article includes statistical data from European countries, particularly Spain, concerning national conditions of incarceration. 1 table, 3 appendixes, and 12 references