Television has transformed public space into a major marketplace for entertainment and functions as a central component of the modern entertainment industry. Moreover, it is well known that crime is a focus of the television industry. While the author does not suggest the development of television is the only factor behind prison growth, he believes television facilitates prison growth in the sense of dismantling defenses that might otherwise be mustered against escalation. In addition, the author contends television corrodes values such as civil rights, has made penal policy much more of a commodity than it was a few decades ago, has altered the concept of political legitimacy, and has changed public debate from an emphasis on communicative rationality based on truthfulness, relevance, and sincerity to an emphasis on opportunism and sensationalism. The author calls for the development of an alternative public space that places less emphasis on television and other mass media outlets. 13 references and 2 notes