This research project studies the concept of incarceration and how this is experienced by the individual and the society. Initially, a historical review is conducted as far as the evolution of punishment throughout the centuries is concerned and how it finally arrived to the anthropocentric form in the 18^th century. The purpose of the state now, is the punishment and the correction and not the revenge. At this chronological point, incarceration appears to be the main form of punishment from authority's aspect, a fact that is still true until today in most countries. As the years pass, ways and forms of incarceration are evolving and adjusting to the needs of time and society. Moreover, it is attempted a distinction between correction and revenge, through a research on which one the penitentiary system finally wants and how this is reflected through penalty and cell types; how each cell and prison type mirrors prison's intensions towards the detained. At the same time, incarceration's physical and psychological consequences to the prisoner are mentioned. Those changes prove the important role space plays on human psychology and how easily space can change it and lead the individual to extreme and even suicidal acts. Finally, they are mentioned three experiments which tried to prove the behavioral change of people, after gain of authority. Two of those experiments tried to justify extreme acts during war periods. However, the results reflect also the power relations inside the penitentiaries. Briefly, this project approaches the topic of incarceration from the aspect of the individual, society, space and authority, concluding that all four can contribute to the improvement of the correction system, having as basis the inmate and his normal reintegration.