The book *The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison* is a critique of the American criminal justice system, highlighting how it disproportionately affects the poor and how it fails to address the root causes of crime. The reader, edited by Jeffrey Reiman and Paul Leighton, provides additional readings to support the main arguments of the book. The first chapter, "Readings on Crime Control in America," examines the effectiveness of the war on crime, the impact of high incarceration rates on communities, and the role of guns and drugs in crime. It includes articles that critique the claim that increased incarceration leads to reduced crime rates, discuss the unintended consequences of high incarceration rates, and explore the broader social and economic factors contributing to crime. The chapter also features personal accounts from individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system, highlighting the challenges they face upon release. The second chapter, "Readings on A Crime by Any Other Name," delves into how the criminal justice system fails to protect citizens from serious threats, such as occupational hazards and unsafe consumer products, due to the lack of criminalization of these issues. The third chapter, "Readings on . . . And the Poor Get Prison," focuses on how the system disproportionately affects the poor and how racial prejudice and bias against ex-convicts hinder their reintegration into society. The fourth chapter, "Readings on To the Vanquished Belong the Spoils," explores how the criminal justice system's failure to address social injustices weakens its moral authority and perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage. The conclusion, "Readings on Criminal Justice or Criminal Justice," discusses potential reforms to make the criminal justice system more just, including evidence-based sentencing, rehabilitation programs, and early social interventions. The reader aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the failures of the criminal justice system and the need for systemic change.The book *The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison* is a critique of the American criminal justice system, highlighting how it disproportionately affects the poor and how it fails to address the root causes of crime. The reader, edited by Jeffrey Reiman and Paul Leighton, provides additional readings to support the main arguments of the book. The first chapter, "Readings on Crime Control in America," examines the effectiveness of the war on crime, the impact of high incarceration rates on communities, and the role of guns and drugs in crime. It includes articles that critique the claim that increased incarceration leads to reduced crime rates, discuss the unintended consequences of high incarceration rates, and explore the broader social and economic factors contributing to crime. The chapter also features personal accounts from individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system, highlighting the challenges they face upon release. The second chapter, "Readings on A Crime by Any Other Name," delves into how the criminal justice system fails to protect citizens from serious threats, such as occupational hazards and unsafe consumer products, due to the lack of criminalization of these issues. The third chapter, "Readings on . . . And the Poor Get Prison," focuses on how the system disproportionately affects the poor and how racial prejudice and bias against ex-convicts hinder their reintegration into society. The fourth chapter, "Readings on To the Vanquished Belong the Spoils," explores how the criminal justice system's failure to address social injustices weakens its moral authority and perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage. The conclusion, "Readings on Criminal Justice or Criminal Justice," discusses potential reforms to make the criminal justice system more just, including evidence-based sentencing, rehabilitation programs, and early social interventions. The reader aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the failures of the criminal justice system and the need for systemic change.