Final answer:
The primary issue is whether reliance on imprisonment is an effective method of reducing crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary issue here is whether reliance on imprisonment is an effective method of reducing crime. The United States has the highest rate of imprisonment compared to other developed countries. Instead of attacking the sources of crime or investing in alternative strategies, the US criminal justice system heavily relies on mass incarceration as the principal crime prevention tool. This approach has been criticized as a failure.