Criminal Justice Prison Scene Character Representation

The characters performance in the prison scene in criminal justice is quite simple. There are the inmates, a group stereotypical looking thugs, carrying gormless expressions and saying very little aside from encouraging violence in the background. This represents them as slightly dangerous and mysterious as they do not reveal much of their characters in the scene apart from violent tendencies. They act almost like Pack animals following Graham around. Graham himself is represented as very strong and sinister, his voice is deep and aggressive, he is the only character who shouts in the scene, all others talk softly or whisper, this futher represents his power as greater than all other characters around. This is futher represented by the prison guards whispering about not opposing the fight Graham’s gang have started as they would be overpowered, so observe, but do not interrupt. Hooch is the man who breaks up the fight, although after doing this he is quickly put down by Graham who reveals Hooch’s betrayal to Ben. This slight opposition to Graham leaves Hooch feeling abandoned for trying to help Ben.
Ben is shown alone at the start, ignoring the friendly guard’s comments too distraught by his situation. He is drawn in by Graham who shouts “look at me” when Ban looks away to see the goon getting behind him. Graham has complete power in this situation; he then initiates the fight, although not he having a follower steps up to fight. Ben looses, although keeps trying to fight by jumping on the guy, this represents Ben’s anger building up and him being fed up with his situation and how he wants to fight his way out although he is too weak. A similarity can be drawn here to the court scene where the prosecutor had him verbally in a corner, he was unable to say anything with enough meaning to gain a following amongst the crowd, too weak to change his situation without help.
Gordon who appears at the end of the extract appears creepy although speaks friendly is represented as menacing by being under observation by a guard outside, but also in the way he says you’ll be safe here, sounds almost over caring and suspicious.