In the grim setting of the 1930s, a young petty criminal named Henri Young is incarcerated at the infamous Alcatraz prison for stealing a mere $5. As he attempts to escape, Young is caught and subjected to brutal and relentless punishment, including a prolonged stint in solitary confinement. This harrowing experience leaves deep physical and psychological scars, turning the once-troubled man into a shadow of his former self. When Young is eventually released back into the general prison population, the trauma he's endured manifests in violent and uncharacteristic behavior, leading to the death of a fellow inmate.

The repercussions of this act result in Young being tried for murder. Enter James Stamphill, an idealistic and inexperienced attorney appointed to defend him. As Stamphill delves deeper into Young's case, he is appalled by the inhumane treatment his client has suffered at Alcatraz, specifically under the iron-fisted rule of Associate Warden Milton Glenn. Determined to expose the corruption within the prison system and highlight the abuses that led to Young's breakdown, Stamphill faces formidable obstacles from the prison officials seeking to maintain their power and silence opposition. The trial turns into a harrowing battle for justice, challenging the moral compass of everyone involved and questioning the limits of institutional cruelty.