In 2000, Illinois Gov. George Ryan ordered a moratorium on the death penalty after university students uncovered new evidence proving the innocence of 13 men on death row. This documentary follows the hearings held by a panel Ryan appointed to study the issue and interviews activists, scholars and prisoners, while examining the history of the American death penalty. As Ryan's time in office comes to an end, he must decide what steps to take to reform the judicial system.

美国宪法第十三修正案：人人平等——除了罪犯。所以“罪犯”成了种族歧视、奴役的新缘由，通过囚禁有色人种来剥夺他们的权利，限制他们的自由，利用他们的劳力获取利益

自1983年开始播映的PBS新闻最前线节目。