Stone Park's new governor, Faye Boswell, learns of press stories about the treatment of one of the prisoners. The situation becomes explosive when Victor Hartnoll, MP, arrives to investigate.
Faye finds that some of her liberal ideas are unpopular with her colleagues. Their criticisms seem justified when a fight follows a quarrel on the north wing, where Faye has allowed more freedom.
There is unrest at Stone Park over Faye's unconventional ideas; to make things worse, Faye is unhappy with her son's girlfriend, who attacks the prison service.
Faye is shocked at the cynical attitude of her deputy, Charles Radley, towards prisoners. But when he is threatened by an inmate, his ability to handle a difficult situation is put to the test.