David C. Fathi is Senior Staff Counsel for the ACLU National Prison Project in Washington, DC, which brings lawsuits challenging conditions in prisons and jails throughout the United States. Since 1972, the NPP, which is the only national litigation program on behalf of prisoners, has represented more than 100,000 men, women and children. The NPP continues to fight unconstitutional conditions and the "lock 'em up" mentality that prevails in the legislatures.