This episode appears to be based on two separate cases:
- The 1981 Jack Abbott case. Abbott wrote the acclaimed book In the "Belly of the Beast" while in prison. He was granted parole in 1981 then moved to New York City and became a star of the literary scene until he killed a waiter at a restaurant 6 weeks later. He returned to prison and committed suicide in 2002.
- The 1976 Gary Gilmore case.
Saul Rubinek's character, "Ira Simpkis" appears to be very clearly based on Harvard law professor and constitutional lawyer, Alan Dershowitz.