Luke
Luke is a man who desires freedom and is opposed to authority in all its facets. Luke is caught taking the heads off of parking meters and is sent to a prison chain gang to serve two years time for his crime. While there he gains the respect and friendship of the men he's in with while also lifting their spirits and creating an atmosphere that has more life and at times seems enjoyable, just like real life except in chains. After Luke's mother passes away he begins his attempts to escape the prison and after getting away and being captured multiple times Luke gets away for the last time and is shot and allowed to bleed out before he gets to a hospital.
Dragline
Dragline is an inmate in the prison chain gang and the toughest guy in the camp. He and Luke square off early in the film when Luke and he box in the yard. Dragline beats him to a pulp, but Luke won't give up and Dragline has to walk off to end the fight. He gains respect for Luke in this moment and after he begins a friendship with him. Becoming his trainer in the egg eating contest and always having his back to the other prisoners. Dragline accompanies Luke on his final escape and eventually drags Luke to the prison bosses after Luke's shot in the neck. Soon after Dragline tells Luke's final moments to the group of inmates.
Captain
Captain is the head of the prison chain gang. He rarely sees a hard days work, if ever. He lets his bosses do all the hard work and disciplining for him. He simply manages the prison, and when Luke's mother dies he throws Luke in the hotbox for the night to prevent him from running. In the end, Captain is the one who takes Luke to the prison hospital an hour out of the way so that he will definitely bleed out and die from his gunshot wound before he can be treated.
Boss Godfrey
Godfrey is also known as the man the man with no eyes because he always wears sunglasses. He only speaks once during the film, and he's known for being an excellent marksman with his rifle. Godfrey is the man who puts a bullett in Luke's neck that eventually takes his life while Luke is in the church.
Arletta
Arletta is Luke's mother who is very ill. She is brought by Luke's brother and nephew to the prison in order to visit her son one last time as by the time he is out she will likely be dead. She had hoped for more for her son, for him to have a family and have the kind of freedom she knows he desires. Shortly after visiting her son Arletta passes away and Luke begins his string of break outs right after.
