In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, corruption plays a big role in the plot. As noted in chapter 7 of our text; “corruption is acting on opportunities, created by virtue of one’s authority, for personal gain at the expense of the public one is authorized to serve” (Cohen, 1986:23). Warden Norton, is the ring leader for all the corruption in Shawshank State Prison with Captain Hadley (lead guard) as his right hand man, that later leads to the Wardens own suicide and the Captains arrest.
Right from the start of all the new “fresh fish” arriving to the prison in 1947- other prison’s placed bets to see which new inmate would break down and cry first. Heywood picked the 5th guy from the back (Fat Ass) to be the first to crack. Once ‘Fat Ass’ breaks and becomes overly hysterical, Captain Hadley pulls him from his cell and uses excessive force in beating a complying inmate just inches from death with his baton. Sadly, ‘Fat Ass’ was left in the infirmary over night for the doctors morning return but shortly died before any medical assistance was provided.
Corruption didn’t stop there, in the spring of 1949, the Warden selected just a handful of inmates to resurface the license plate building. Andy and some of his new friends were the selected lucky few. While working, they over hear Captain Hadley talking about how some big shot lawyer called from Texas telling him his brother died a rich man and he was to inherit 35 thousand of it. Andy still new to the prison life and tired of getting raped by the “sisters,” jumps on the opportunity to gain respect from Captain Hadley. As Andy approaches the Captain and comes off a little insulting about the Captains wife, Captain Hadley stanches Andy by his collar and drags him to the edge of the roof to throw him off of it, making it look like a suicide. Andy quickly explains how he can help the Captain keep all of the 35 thousand without being taxed, legally, in exchange for 3 beers a piece for Andy’s “co-workers.” Not only was Andy able to help the
Captain but gained his respect, his fellow inmates respect, as well opened a door of opportunities that was to come later in the movie.
For then, Andy gets beaten just inches from his life from the “sisters” gang, the guards do Andy a solid by making two things happen, the “sisters” never touched Andy again and Bogs never walked again.
Right from the start of all the new “fresh fish” arriving to the prison in 1947- other prison’s placed bets to see which new inmate would break down and cry first. Heywood picked the 5th guy from the back (Fat Ass) to be the first to crack. Once ‘Fat Ass’ breaks and becomes overly hysterical, Captain Hadley pulls him from his cell and uses excessive force in beating a complying inmate just inches from death with his baton. Sadly, ‘Fat Ass’ was left in the infirmary over night for the doctors morning return but shortly died before any medical assistance was provided.
Corruption didn’t stop there, in the spring of 1949, the Warden selected just a handful of inmates to resurface the license plate building. Andy and some of his new friends were the selected lucky few. While working, they over hear Captain Hadley talking about how some big shot lawyer called from Texas telling him his brother died a rich man and he was to inherit 35 thousand of it. Andy still new to the prison life and tired of getting raped by the “sisters,” jumps on the opportunity to gain respect from Captain Hadley. As Andy approaches the Captain and comes off a little insulting about the Captains wife, Captain Hadley stanches Andy by his collar and drags him to the edge of the roof to throw him off of it, making it look like a suicide. Andy quickly explains how he can help the Captain keep all of the 35 thousand without being taxed, legally, in exchange for 3 beers a piece for Andy’s “co-workers.” Not only was Andy able to help the
Captain but gained his respect, his fellow inmates respect, as well opened a door of opportunities that was to come later in the movie.
For then, Andy gets beaten just inches from his life from the “sisters” gang, the guards do Andy a solid by making two things happen, the “sisters” never touched Andy again and Bogs never walked again.