The all-female setting naturally supports a strong ensemble of women in leadership and conflict roles, alongside organic LGBTQ+ elements such as lesbian relationships and occasional trans characters that arise from the premise rather than external mandates, with diverse casting like Indigenous inmates reflecting realistic demographics without forced ideological emphasis. Progressive themes remain mostly incidental in seasons focused on gritty hierarchies and personal vendettas, though they intensify in others through identity-driven subplots around gender, feminism, and queer arcs that elevate representation over pure entertainment. This mix of traditional prison intrigue with varying levels of LGBTQ+ and feminist integration, absent any race or gender swaps or overt activism as the core driver, underpins the show's overall woke score of 4/10.