This episode introduces extensive research conducted in the United States by Professor Todd Clear of Rutgers University, which involves detailed analysis of US incarceration rates over a 30-year period. He discusses his experiences in how best to influence public and political debate about incarceration. He acknowledges the emotive nature of this topic but reasserts his firm belief that evidence can — and has — informed the prison debate by presenting statistics, individual stories and addressing preconceived ideas about offenders and community safety. He also highlights the implications of prison for the children of prisoners and talks about the problem of inter-generational cycles of violence, substance misuse and imprisonment.