The narrative describes the events surrounding "The Green Mile," a death row facility at Cold Mountain Penitentiary in 1935. Overseen by corrections officer Paul Edgecomb and his team, including Brutus Howell, Dean Stanton, Harry Terwilliger, and the antagonistic Percy Wetmore, the story highlights the dynamics between the guards and the inmates. Percy, protected by his political connections, is portrayed as cruel and abusive, particularly toward Eduard Delacroix, one of the prisoners.

The inmates under their supervision include Delacroix, a frequent victim of Percy’s torment; William Wharton, who exhibits violent and unpredictable behavior; and John Coffey, a physically imposing but kind-hearted and mentally simple African-American man. Coffey is on death row for allegedly murdering two young white girls. Despite being found holding their bodies in apparent distress, he claims he tried to "take it back," suggesting a deeper complexity to the situation.

The narrative sets the stage for exploring themes of justice, humanity, and morality within the confines of a death row facility.