humanize/simplify The U.S. criminal justice system is built on two main ideas: rehabilitation and punishment. Rehabilitation focuses on helping offenders change their behavior and reintegrate into society, while punishment aims to discourage crime through penalties like incarceration. In recent years, I feel that the U.S. has shifted more towards punishment, often prioritizing it over rehabilitation. This prioritization can be observed in the rising number of mandatory minimum sentences and the increased funding allocated to correctional facilities, which often neglect rehabilitative services. This essay will argue that this focus on punishment leads to high incarceration rates and repeat offenses. By emphasizing punitive measures, we create a cycle where individuals are not equipped with the skills and support needed to avoid criminal behavior after their release. Consequently, a societal attitude that favors punishment over rehabilitation actually hinders successful reintegration of individuals into their communities. This approach not only affects the individuals directly involved but also places an additional burden on society as a whole, as returning offenders may struggle to find stable employment and housing. Such barriers can foster a sense of alienation and hopelessness, which further contributes to recidivism. Addressing the balance between rehabilitation and punishment is crucial if we aim to break this cycle