Criminal justice systems vary from culture to culture because of differential values and historical experiences of countries. The nature of criminal law is better understood by analyzing historical and political developments, recognizing that modern criminal law frequently represents the efforts of those who are in power to protect their own interests through legislation. Police organizations represent an instrument of the government to control the masses. However, military and other totalitarian regimes use the police to achieve illegal ends. As with the police, most countries have a centralized prison system, but prison reform should be geared toward inmate rehabilitation in order to reduce recidivism. Because the masses have lost faith in the criminal justice system in many countries, the establishment of a stringent system of checks, balances, and accountability is recommended for the criminal justice system, law enforcement, and corrections. enforcement