“You know, your film makes an argument, which will be familiar to some people, but which will be quite provocative to others, that actually the way we use the criminal justice system in this country, particularly the way we use incarceration, is really an extension of slavery, that it’s a form of racialized control.”

Randall Robinson in “Thoughts on Restitution” notes that “the black male is far more likely than his white counterpart to be in prison, to be murdered, to have no job, to fail in school, to become seriously ill” (235). The documentary 13th argues the mass incarceration of black and brown people in America is a continuation of slavery under the 13th Amendment. The amendment outlaws all forms of slavery unless it is used as the punishment for a crime. Using this loophole in the amendment, the U.S criminal justice system targets people of color and is able to force them back into slavery. Much of the evidence provided in the documentary itself demonstrates how life for blacks in America is still incredibly difficult and, in turn, proves ideas involving restitution should be given due consideration by politicians.