The War on Drugs, started by President Nixon, resulted in the era of mass incarceration. If the total population of prisons and jails were to be a state, it would be the 36th largest state. Many prisons are overcrowded and prisoners’ civil rights are being violated in the name of retribution. The brief explores the history of the War on Drugs, the effects of its policies, mass incarceration, policies attempted to fight mass incarceration, and policies that can be tried to end mass incarceration. Upon other recommendations, the brief recommends that mandatory minimums and three strike laws be repealed, and the Reverse Mass Incarceration Act be passed.