Protests over living conditions in prisons have been widespread, and have occurred in States such as California where the government spends considerable effort on innovative correctional programs. In part, these conditions are the result of the evolution of the corrections system as a punishment mechanism. Also, prisons are used primarily to incarcerate working class offenders from the lower strata of society. The concept of just deserts as punishment for crimes mandates that prisoners be supported at a level lower than that which they could expect in free society. Since the vast majority of prisoners live under substandard conditions when free, the corrections system subjects them to even lower standards as part of the punishment process. Notes and 24 references are included.