She is finally brought before the review board on whether she will stay there permanently. It is decided that her philosophy of helping people is dangerous for the fragile post-war society, and therefore she becomes locked up there permanently. The people she has helped, along with many she hasn't, stand outside her cell window, praying to her as their new "patron saint." The last image is of Irene's face looking down at them through the bars with a hint of a smile.