Scope Note:

Fictional work set primarily behind bars, where life becomes strictly regimented, impacting the lives of guards and wardens as well as prisoners. Nonetheless, methods of evading control and supervision are found, and motifs include attempts to escape, prove innocence, or await the death penalty. With the primary characters all criminals, one is bound to assume heroic status, if only because of differences from fellow criminals. Note: For work set in a prisoner-of-war camp, use War. Feature examples: THE BIG HOUSE; BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ (with Adaptation); BRUBAKER; COOL HAND LUKE (with Adaptation); THE CRIMINAL CODE; ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ; ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (with Science fiction); FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE (with Adaptation); THE LAST MILE (with Adaptation); THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION; 20,000 YEARS IN SING SING. TV examples: THE JERICHO MILE (with Sports); SIX AGAINST THE ROCK; WOMEN OF SAN QUENTIN.

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