The authors argue that the current system of justice and punishment, which operates at rapidly increasing costs, fails to compensate victims for their suffering, to rehabilitate criminals, or to benefit communities economically or in terms of public safety. Proponents of the "get tough" approach to crime argue that it serves the dual purpose of deterrence and incapacitation. In truth, harsh penalties fail to deter criminals because most are never caught, and fail to incapacitate serious offenders because prisons are often forced to institute early release programs in order to alleviate overcrowding conditions.