In 1970, an American college student named Billy Hayes is caught attempting to smuggle drugs out of Turkey. The drugs, taped to his body, are discovered by customs officials at the Istanbul airport just as he is about to board a flight home. The scene is tense, as Billy initially passes through a metal detector without issue, only to be called back by a suspicious officer. His plan to return to the United States with the drugs, intended to be a quick and profitable venture, quickly unravels. Billy's arrest marks the beginning of a harrowing journey through the Turkish legal system. Initially, he is confident and even somewhat naive about his situation, believing that money and American influence will easily secure his release.

However, Billy's situation takes a dramatic turn for the worse when his initial sentence of four years is made drastically longer by a court decision following an appeal by the prosecution. The new sentence is nothing short of a nightmare: 30 years in a notorious Turkish prison known for its harsh conditions and brutal treatment of inmates. The prison is a grim, harsh place where violence and cruelty are part of daily life. Billy must navigate this new, terrifying reality, contending with the psychological and physical challenges of life behind bars in a foreign country. His fight for freedom becomes a test of human will, as he encounters a cast of characters that includes fellow prisoners and a sympathetic doctor, each affecting his chances of survival and escape in different ways.