Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Life Sentence Imposed
Conroy is sentenced to life for vehicular manslaughter and enters prison. An inmate warns him about a series of unexplained deaths before being murdered.
Key Events
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Vehicular Manslaughter Sentencing — Conroy receives a life sentence for vehicular manslaughter. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Courtroom
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Prison Admission — Conroy enters the prison system to begin his life sentence. Characters: William Conroy
Location: State Penitentiary
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Inmate Death Warning — A fellow inmate reveals fourteen recent deaths and warns Conroy. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Cell
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Informant Murder — The informant is found dead the day after warning Conroy. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Interior
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State Penitentiary — The primary setting where the murder ring operates. Characters: William Conroy
Location: State Penitentiary
Crash and Escape
During transport to a parole hearing, the van crashes, allowing Conroy to flee. He immediately contacts his lawyer to seek help and avoid becoming the next victim.
Key Events
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Parole Transport Departure — Conroy is moved in a van toward his scheduled parole hearing. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Transport Van
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Van Crash — The inmate transport van crashes, creating immediate chaos. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Highway
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Conroy Escape — Conroy seizes the crash opportunity to flee the scene. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Highway
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Transport Van — The vehicle that crashes, enabling Conroy's escape. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Highway
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Parole Hearing — The scheduled event that triggers the transport and subsequent crash. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Courtroom
Uncovering the Ring
Conroy and his lawyer investigate the prison's internal affairs. They discover a systematic murder ring operating within the facility and realize the stakes are life-threatening.
Key Events
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Conroy Escape — Conroy seizes the crash opportunity to flee the scene. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Highway
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Lawyer Contact — Conroy reaches out to his lawyer for immediate assistance. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Lawyer Office
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Initial Investigation — Conroy and his lawyer begin looking into the prison's internal affairs. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Perimeter
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Murder Ring Discovery — They uncover a systematic murder ring operating inside the walls. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Archives
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High-Level Exposure — The ring is linked to the highest levels of the correctional system. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Investigation Site
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Systemic Corruption — Officials are implicated in covering up the murders. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Administration
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Lawyer Office — The base of operations for Conroy's legal defense. Characters: William Conroy
Location: City Building
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Correctional Records — Documents revealing the pattern of inmate deaths. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Vault
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Murder Ring Network — The covert operation facilitating the grisly killings. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Interior
Exposing Corruption
The investigation reveals high-level correctional officials are complicit. Conroy and his lawyer compile evidence to dismantle the conspiracy and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Key Events
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Systemic Corruption — Officials are implicated in covering up the murders. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Administration
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Evidence Compilation — Conroy and his lawyer gather proof of the conspiracy. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Safe House
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Confrontation Preparation — The team prepares to face the corrupt officials directly. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Prison Gates
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Ring Exposed — The murder ring and official complicity are brought to light. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Public Hearing
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Justice Served — The conspiracy is dismantled, altering Conroy's fate. Characters: William Conroy
Location: Courtroom
When William Conroy (Rob Lowe), a former college professor, is sentenced to life in prison for vehicular manslaughter it seems his life is over. But when a fellow inmate tells him that in the past two years fourteen inmates have died at the prison, and then turns up dead the next day, Conroy realizes he is in more danger than he ever imagined. Conroy's suspicions are confirmed when the van carrying the inmates crashes. Seizing the opportunity, Conroy flees the scene and elicits the help of his lawyer. What the two discover is a grisly murder ring set up within the prison walls that incriminates those at the highest levels of the correctional system.