Alternate takes replacing the foul language were filmed for this episode. They were planned to be used in syndicated reruns. But during filming, Tom Fontana realized that a clean version of the series would not work and dropped the idea.
On-screen brothers Ryan and Cyril O'Reilly are played by real-life brothers Dean Winters and Scott William Winters. Their brother Brad Winters is also one of the writers.
While filming the scene with Ortolani in McManus' office, Jon Seda hit the glass window and busted it, cutting his hand. The scene had to be reshot and Seda's bandaged hand incorporated into the show.
Originally producer Debbie Sargent approached artist Anthony Papa who served a 15 to Life sentence with the idea to shoot the opening of Oz playing a prisoner painting in a cell who loses it and destroys his cell and picks up his painting punching his fist through it and the episode of Oz would begin. Papa was commissioned to paint a copy of his famous self portrait "15 to Life" (www.15tolife.com) which was exhibited at the Whitney Museum. An 8 hour shoot was conducted but in the end it hit the cutting floor. The good news was that a segment of the shoot was retained and Papa was placed in the opening montage of season one painting at his easel.
The character of Adebisi was originally an African-American. When Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was cast, the character was changed to reflect his Nigerian heritage.