Oz (TV Series)

Escape from Oz (1998)

Ernie Hudson: Warden Leo Glynn

Quotes 

• Governor James Devlin : [at a live press conference, announcing the pardon of Kareem Said]  The celebration of Ramadan is at the center of Islamic worship. Therefore, I'm pleased, in the grand tradition of this holy time, to bestow clemency on a prisoner. Kareem Said has been an outspoken critic of our administration, but political differences aside, he has been an outstanding member of the prison population. Even after suffering a heart attack last year, he's continued to work with prisoners of every race and color, especially the young, to instruct them and guide them to better lives. So I hereby grant Kareem Said a full pardon and I wish him well in his new life.

  Kareem Said : [Said walks out in front of the microphones and cameras to shake Devlin's hand]  Finally, we meet face-to-face.

  Reporter : Mr. Said! How do you feel?

  Kareem Said : How do I feel? I feel joyless. My brothers remain behind. Imprisoned, suppressed. I don't just mean my Muslim brothers, I mean every single man that will sleep in here tonight, that was cut off from everything that he loves. Cut off from his own self. You know, as the word went around that the governor was gonna give somebody clemency, I saw a rift develop as each inmate wished himself to be the chosen one. The longing to be free became as palpable as the food that we eat. But it is a meal that I am being served right now. And I am Muslim. And Allah does not allow me to swallow certain things. Allah does not allow me to take scraps from the hands from a man such as this. A man who is corrupt and immoral. A man who denigrates the gift of clemency just as he violates the principles of justice. A man that gave the order that caused the death of eight people. And so, Governor Devlin, because even the cost of freedom can be too high, I *refuse* your pardon!

  [the reporters go wild asking questions] 

  Warden Leo Glynn : Officer, take him back inside.

  [a CO takes Said back to Emerald City] 

  Governor James Devlin : [humiliated, furious, muttering]  Cocksucker.