James P. Washington

General James P. Washington is the father of Poussey Washington, portrayed by Thaddeus Daniels. He works for the U.S. Military.

Personality[]

Washington is portrayed as a caring father; he visits his daughter regularly, is accepting of her homosexuality and defends her in front of his German Commander.

Physical Appearance[]

Washington is a tall, muscular black man with a wide set nose, he is bald and is seen wearing military uniform.

Biography[]

Before Poussey's Incarceration[]

Washington named his daughter after the town of Poussey in North-eastern France, where he was stationed when she was born ("WAC Pack").

He was once stationed in Germany, Hohenfels, where he lived with his family. There, his teenage daughter began a relationship with the daughter of his German Commander, Franziska. When Franziska's father found out about the relationship, Washington got reassigned to a post in the United States, as the Commander thought that homosexuality was an illness that should be cured. Poussey confronted the Commander with a hidden gun; James kept her from revealing the gun and killing him, stating to the Commander that "everything's okay" with his daughter when the Commander suggested that he should get his daughter treated for her homosexuality ("You Also Have a Pizza").

Season One[]

He is first seen in "The Chickening", when he visits his daughter.

Season Four[]

The day after the incident, Caputo phones General Washington to inform him of his daughter's death before making it public. ("Toast Can't Never Be Bread Again")

Season Five[]

Unable to shake his horrendous guilt at inadvertently killing Poussey, CO Bayley goes to the home of Poussey's father, hoping he will beat up Bayley up or inflict some other kind of punishment on him. James recognizes this and tells Bayley there's nothing that can be done to fix what he has done, and that never having a day of peace over what he's done is his punishment. ("Tattoo You").

Relationships[]

Romantic[]

Mrs. Washington (wife; deceased)

Friends[]

None

Enemies[]

Baxter Bayley - Bayley killed his daughter Poussey Washington

Memorable Quotes[]

"What am I gonna do with that? You want me to say I forgive you?"

— James P. Washington to Baxter Bayley after he apologises for killing Poussey Washington

"You want me to punish you. Is that it? With what...you want me to beat you? Press charges? Send you to prison? Why? "

— James P. Washington to Baxter Bayley

"There is no making it right. I'm not interested in giving you whatever it is you think you need so you can atone. See, I don't care whether you're able to heal yourself from this. 'Cause what you done... you're gonna have to live with the rest of your life. That's your punishment. And you know what? It's still a hell of a lot better than what my baby girl got. May you never have a day's peace. Never."