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Filthy Rich: Jeffrey Epstein, Directed By Lisa Bryant

2396 Words10 Pages

The documentary "Filthy Rich: Jeffrey Epstein," directed by Lisa Bryant, premiered on Netflix on May 27, 2020. It focuses on the harrowing stories of survivors who recount the sexual and mental abuse they endured at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the sex trafficking he orchestrated for years due to his immense wealth, social connections, and powerful status. The documentary spans approximately four hours and sheds light on the deep-rooted corruption within the American criminal justice system, from local police departments to federal attorney offices (Bryant, 2020). This issue exemplifies social conflict theory, where individuals with wealth and influence have a distinct advantage in shaping their destinies and accessing resources …show more content…

Epstein got the deal of a lifetime when his secret plea deal got him a pity excuse for a sentence in which he only served 13 months and was able to leave with work release privileges. This stark contrast to the harsh punishments faced by individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds for similar offences highlights the inherent inequality within the justice system and is a clear example of social conflict theory which was discussed earlier. This case raises immense concern about the integrity of the justice system, as the fact that Epstein was able to manipulate the system and evade justice for so long proves there is work that needs to be done to truly keep the law neutral and impartial for everyone. The social or financial status of an individual should not influence the treatment they receive from the criminal justice system, yet the system continuously fails to ensure all citizens get equal and just treatment under the law which is proved through this case and only exemplifies the power dynamics and biases that favour the influential and rich of

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