After his cellmate manages to escape one night, the Chief Guard and Warden put all their pressure on the Mute to explain what happened. The Mute, silent but not deaf, refuses to speak and is subjected to a number of extortionary techniques at the hands of these prison officials. The Chief Guard attempts to turn the Mute's fellow inmates against him while the Warden employs more subtle means of coercion. But the corrections officers reign of terror comes crashing down after an unscheduled visit by prison inspectors. Ultimately the mistreated prisoners rally together and riot, bringing their own brand of justice against the Chief Guard and his cronies for their abuse of power.