Prison Stereotypes

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correctional stereotypes in the movie " the Shawshank Redemption." This essay will explain the correctional policies that are demonstrated in the movie and suggest ways in which these portrayals are accurate or inaccurate.

The movie "The Shawshank Redemption" revolves around the life and times of a prisoner named Andy. Andy was a banker in his former life before he was framed for the murder of his wife and her lover. The story documents the unfair treatment Andy has received in society and concludes with him escaping prison and finding his redemption that he felt that he had earned by maintaining an attitude of hope and faith.

The Shawshank Prison, where Andy was detained, resonated with many prison system stereotypes within the movie. The warden of the prison is depicted as a cruel and inhumane person, bent on sadistically treating his prisoners and guards. This stereotype of the "evil warden" provides Andy with the necessary foe to help guide the movie along. Included in this evil stereotype are the warden's philosophy on rehabilitation where he revealed his preference to "more bars" and not focus on the rehabilitative efforts of his correctional facility.

The correctional officers in the movie were also stereotyped as idiotic servants of the warden.

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This lack of intelligence, allowed the warden to manipulate his guards to enhance is illegal money laundering schemes that were taking place within and without the prison. The use of violence by the guards is another stereotype that was used in this film to help intensify Andy's experience in prison.

Another side of the correctional system that is heavily stereotyped within this film centers on the parole board that hears the cases of the black prisoner, Red throughout the film. These scenes suggest that the parole board is a generally disinterested party of people that remains emotionally uninvolved within the cases of those prisoners who have proved rehabilitation. While the character Red is seen in this film continually breaking prison policy and rules by obtaining illegal contraband, this furthers the stereotype that the prison system is essentially broken and relies on the black market to function properly.

The violence towards other prisoners is also stereotyped in this film, as weak and ignorant prisoners are often murdered or beaten into a coma. This part of the story essentially supports the stereotype the prison and correctional systems are not provided to prisoners to rehabilitate….....

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