Leading up to the season 4 finale, the life of a beloved character, Poussey Washington, was taken by a correctional officer during a peaceful protest for the inmates' rights to humane treatment in prison. Similar to most cases of state-sanctioned violence, specifically toward black people, the law works in favour of the higher social class, and justice for the victim is not served. 

Terry Shoemaker says, "Considering the social context of the American prison-Industrial complex, the counter-public generated by Orange is The New Black emerges at a time when the American carceral system is expanding at rates never seen before." The tragedy sparks the beginning of a prison riot, as well as an overwhelming response from OTINB viewers who not only mourn the loss of a fan favourite, but also acknowledge the statement Kohan makes about systemic-racism at a time of great relevance.