Social injustice in the american judicial system

Criminal justice is among the issues that have ignited a heated debate in the American Judicial system. It is noted that many prisoners are harshly treated in the American prisons with little being done to address the ordeal. This is more so worse with black American prisoners whose rights have been trampled upon. Owing to this, many writers have come up to voice their concerns about the need for addressing the situation. Additionally, the movie industry has also come up to give a clear picture of the ordeal faced by these prisoners. This essay will address the ordeal faced by the prisoners in the film The Green Mile. Specifically, the essay will focus on the mistreatments these prisoners undergo as well as the sympathy of some prison guards which indicates a move towards a reformed prison system.

The Green Mile is a movie that incorporates spiritual and dramatic elements owing to its recognition of Gods healing power. At the start of the movie, Paul Edgecomb is disturbed by a nightmare making it difficult for him to sleep. It is noted that the genesis of his emotions is his awful experiences as a prison guard, in a series of cells on The Green Mile holding inmates soon to be executed via electrocution. Specifically, he narrates his experiences with John Coffey, who had been convicted of murdering two young ladies. The imprisonment of suspects is a clear indication of social exclusion that is a violation of the criminal justice policies (Chesney-Lind, & Mauer, 2011). Surprisingly, Coffey possesses unique healing powers. Coffey’s healing powers are revealed by the fact that It is noted that at that time of his arrival at The Green Mile prison, Paul was suffering from a urinary tract infection.  Amazingly, when Coffey just touched him, the infection got healed. Another unique instance is noted when an inmate by the name Dell strangely befriends a mouse. The mention of the healing powers in the film, coupled with the godlike nature of some of the prison wardens simplifies the need for the prisons to be reformed such that they treat prisoners gracefully. By effecting this, it will be possible to reinstate the sanctity in prisons (Perkinson, 2010). The mouse is noted to perform unique tricks which make Dell very fond of it. Unfortunately, one sadist prison guards named Percy steps on the mouse injuring it badly. Surprisingly Coffey restores back the mouse to life. Owing to these series of events, Paul is now convinced that Coffey is not only special but also innocent of the crime he is charged with. It is noted that Percy deals ruthlessly with the inmates. Percy’s ruthlessness may be attached to his influence in the state. It is noted that he is a nephew of the wife of the governor hence making it difficult for his colleagues to tame his ruthless acts. Additionally, he is heard saying that he will transfer himself to another government bases job (YouTube, 2011).  Specifically, when executing Dell he willingly avoids using the wet sponge on Dell’s head so as to make the electrocution more painful. This indicates an act of justice distortion to prisoners (Chesney-Lind, & Mauer, 2011). Paul is aggrieved by the cruelty of Perce and secretly sneaks Coffey out of the prison to save him from being prosecuted. Paul, now strongly believes in his healing powers that he takes him to the prison warden’s home, Hal Moores, home hoping he will heal his wife suffering from a brain tumor that he does. Additionally, using his powers he is able to discover the actual killer of the two young ladies he was falsely accused of killing-William Wharton. The movie is full of Christian references. Paul, for example, is depicted, as a saved man whose conscience disturbs him when he contemplates taking Coffey, whom he thinks is innocent, to the execution chair. The fact that Coffey is black reveals the nasty experiences that black prisoners face in the American prisons (Perkinson, 2010). Notably, his stand is based on his fear to stand before God on the judgment day. Critical analysis of the movie reveals four primary theological challenges. Firstly, a minor character is convinced that just a simple medal in the name of St. Christopher will keep one safe from evil. Secondly, long life is viewed as evil because it forces one to pass through awful experiences of seeing their beloved ones die. As such, this may be viewed as a contradiction to the Bible that views long life as a gift from God. Additionally, the movie suggests that healing powers are transferable and not necessarily received from God.

Violence acts and foul language also runs through the movie. However, it is noted that the lives of both the prisoners and wardens are enlightened by grace. Metaphor, incarnation theology as well as movie evangelism is perfectly covered by the film. It is noted that Coffey points out the prevailing evils in the society and as such acts as Christ who is falsely accused. Additionally, Paul may be viewed as Pontius Pilate in Christ’s time because he is forced to execute an innocent soul hence in need of grace to be forgiven. The fact that Coffey’s power were used for the benefits of the white prison wardens regardless of which he is still executed gives a clear picture on how Black-American prisoners are misused by being allocated heavy tasks (Perkinson, 2010). The unfair imprisonment of Coffey, who has unique healing powers, is a clear indication of how black American talents are trampled upon hence hampering their personal development. By targeting black men as major suspects, it implies that racial caste is still a major challenge in America which calls for stringent remedial actions (Alexander, 2010).

Conclusion

The film The Green Mile is clear indication of the ordeal the American prisoners go through. John Coffey, who has been falsely charged, serves as an example of the judicial injustice prevailing in the American judicial system. We note that the prisoners are executed via electrocution that is the worst form of punishment. Notably, though the wardens are aware of the innocence of Coffey, they go ahead to execute him. The fact that Coffey’s healing powers are used for the benefit of his oppressors is a clear indication of the misuse the prisoners go through. Therefore, the movie is a clear indication of the need to reinstate sanctity in the American prisons.

References

Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New York: New Press.

Chesney-Lind, M., & Mauer, M. (2011). Invisible Punishment: The Collateral Consequences of Mass Imprisonment. New York: New Press

Perkinson, R. (2010). Texas tough: The rise of America’s prison empire.

YouTube. (2011, January 18). THE GREEN MILE (1999) – Official Movie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0jNri5rOY4