The American prison system has long been criticized for its issues surrounding overcrowding and the inhumane treatment of prisoners. Public Enemy demonstrates the demoralization, dehumanization, and overall destruction of hope that occurs in prison when he writes, “They got me rotting in the time that I’m serving/ Telling you what happened the same time they’re throwing\ Four of us packed in a cell like slaves, oh well” (25-27). “Rotting” is the gradual decomposition of organic material. In this scenario, “rotting” illustrates the immense and gradual dehumanization process that occurs within a prisoner. “Packed” usually refers to filling a box or case with maximum efficiency, but also refers to the slang term for overcrowded. Therefore, four
