The United States ranks first in the world with over 2.3 million people incarcerated. America's war on crime has created a prison population increase that is the largest in the world. “Tough on crime,” “crackdown on crime,” and “zero tolerance” policies all refer to policies that encourage punishment as a response to crime. The effects of these policies are filling our prisons and detention centers at an alarming rate. The growth in the prison population is largely due to tougher state and federal sentences imposed since the mid-1980s. Findings from the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS) suggest that prisoners are more likely to have literacy difficulties than the general population. The relationship between prison population and literacy is prevalent. First, “crime toughening” policies are making their way into American prison systems as the prison population continues to grow. Americans are tired of crime and are encouraging their politicians to advocate harsher treatment of convicted criminals. Federal prison policies state that an inmate has no right to expect privacy in a prison environment, nor does he have the right to speak freely if he protests; they cannot refuse to work or choose which job to do. Prisoners have the right to visits to stay in touch with society. They also have the right to education. Second, in an environment where the focus is on punishment, politicians and the American public are frustrated that prisoners live in “resort-like” facilities that might include the opportunity to participate in: watching the Cable TV, Weightlifting Rooms, Free Education, Religious Affiliations, and Libraries. The average cost of holding a prisoner... middle of paper..., 2011, from:nces.ed.gov/pubs2007/2007480.pdf.Greenberg, Elizabeth, Dunleavy,Eric and Kutner, Mark . (February 22, 2011). Literacy behind bars: Educational Resource Information Center. Retrieved July 16, 2011) http://ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/correctional-education.htmlKutner, M., Greenberg, E., & Baer, ​​J. (2005). A first look at American adult literacy in the 21st century. US Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.Palta, Rina. (November 29, 2010). Women in prison: a growing population. Retrieved July 16, 2011, from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/education/09dropout.htmlPfeffer, Rachel, (March 15, 2011). In Post Racial America Prisons Feast On Black Girls. Retrieved July 16, 2011, from: http://informant.kalwnews.org/2010/11/women-in-prison-a-growing-population/,