Final answer:
Early prison films often stressed justice and legal procedures reflecting the societal push for law and order. Theatre within prisons served rehabilitative purposes through inmate engagements in the arts. The 'war on drugs' in the 1970s led to increased prison populations due to more stringent sentencing policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ingredients of early prison films generally included elements that reflected the societal attitudes towards crime and punishment during the era they were made. Early prison movies often portrayed a strong emphasis on justice and legal procedures, reflecting cultural attitudes that sought to affirm law and order. These films might have included dramatic accounts of the legal system at work, the importance of punishing crime, or efforts at rectifying injustices.
Theatre in prisons, a different form of prison-related expression, indeed served therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes. Beginning with performances as early as the Marquis de Sade directing plays in prison, up to more contemporary theatre practices meant to aid in rehabilitation and social change. Theatre programs within prison walls have often focused on allowing inmates to engage in the arts, potentially leading to personal growth and community-building.
The 1970s witnessed an explosion in prison population due to a shift towards harsher sentencing as part of the "war on drugs". This political shift was influenced by a cultural backlash aiming to address permissiveness with stringent 'law and order' approaches.