Los Angeles, Nov 25 (IANS): Oscar-winning star Denzel Washington believes it's important for young men to have a father figure in their life.

Washington, 62, who stars as an idealistic defence attorney in his new movie "Roman J. Israel, Esq.", says upbringing and a lack of father figures are the main reasons why so many young men spend time in prison, reports nydailynews.com.

Asked if the movie has made him more cynical about the justice system in the US, Washington said: "It starts at home."

"It starts with how you raise your children. If a young man doesn't have a father figure, he'll go find a father figure. So you know I can't blame the system. It's unfortunate that we make such easy work for them," added the actor, who has four children --John David, 33, Katia, 29, and twins Olivia and Malcolm, 26 --with wife and actress Pauletta.

"Roman J. Israel, Esq." is based on the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system.