James Devlin (Oz)

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Governor James Devlin is a fictional character on the HBO drama Oz, played by Željko Ivanek.[1]

Character overview

James Devlin is the governor of an unspecified U.S. state. His draconian legislation, designed to emphasize punishment in the correctional system, makes him a figure hated by Oz's inmate population and several staff members. He is frequently shown as opportunistic and morally dubious, using his strict laws to deflect attention from his political corruption. Devlin is shown as a sadistic elitist only out for himself, an image he doesn't bother to hide in private. He knows that the public views him as such but will vote for him because he gets the results they want.

Season 1

Devlin passes laws prohibiting several basic freedoms, such as smoking and

Leo Glynn. Saïd decides to protest Devlin's measures by leading Oz's inmates in a prison riot, issuing a list of demands and holding several guards hostage. While Glynn and McManus feel that several of the demands are reasonable, Devlin orders a SORT
team to recapture Em City. During the ensuing violence, two guards and six inmates are killed while Em City is left a ruin.

Season 2

Devlin has law school dean Alvah Case investigate the riot, offering to appoint him as

GED
program, and decides to make the announcement after Oz's graduation ceremony. However, McManus undermines Devlin's stunt by announcing the completion of the program earlier than the governor anticipated. Off camera, Devlin tells McManus that this ploy will ultimately make no difference as to what the state's voters will think about his actions.

After an Oz inmate named

African-American
communities. He pardons Saïd, who then humiliates him by refusing the pardon and accusing him of instigating the riot.

Season 3

Devlin deals with issues involving

anti-depressants as a way of reducing the costs of medical care. Alvarez is later found trying to hang himself in solitary confinement. Garvey fires Nathan — only to be fired himself when Devlin ends Weigart's contract. Devlin blackmails
Garvey into re-hiring Nathan, in a ploy to make himself look compassionate to voters.

Season 4

Part I

Glynn runs as Devlin's

corrections officer at Oz, makes numerous speeches condemning Devlin as representing all that is evil within white society. At a press conference, Hughes attempts to assassinate
Devlin, temporarily crippling him. Glynn is forced to drop out of the race, while Devlin wins re-election.

Part II

Devlin is reinaugurated as governor, but not before allowing a television crew to investigate happenings at Oz, but the footage is not aired. He is then seen at Oz's annual warden's conference on crutches, mockingly telling Glynn to thank Hughes for helping him win the election. Devlin encounters controversy in the death sentence of

Sister Pete
makes an unsuccessful attempt to change the form of capital punishment, other psychiatrists deem Giles as insane, and his death sentence is overturned.

Season 5

Devlin appoints Eleanor O'Connor, McManus' ex-wife, as a state liaison to address political concerns from Oz's staff. Devlin reaffirms his support for the death penalty during the sentencing of Oz inmate

IQ, his execution causes several liberal groups to call for an appeal
against his sentence. Devlin's public image then diminishes, although efforts to stop O'Reily's execution fail.

Season 6

Adrian Johnson to arrange Loewen's murder. Meanwhile, Devlin suggests that O'Reily undergo ECT
treatment despite the protests of O'Reily's family and attorneys.

As Glynn and a detective investigate Loewen's murder, they discover Johnson's involvement. When Devlin and Loftus are informed of what's happening, the governor has the detective replaced to draw suspicion away from himself. Glynn ultimately learns the truth, causing Devlin and Loftus to order Johnson to arrange for Glynn's death. Johnson pays an inmate to kill Glynn, whose death angers Oz's staff. After McManus ties the governor's office to the murders, Devlin orders Querns to fire him. When Oz is evacuated during an anthrax attack, Devlin realizes that McManus is on the verge of ending his political career. During the final episode, several clues indicate that Devlin remains in office. However, McManus is still shown in his position, making the ultimate outcome inconclusive.

References

  1. ^ Wilson, David, et al. Images of Incarceration: Representations of Prison in Film And Television Drama. United Kingdom, Waterside Press, 2004. 149.
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