Gary Tison is serving two consecutive life sentences for murder, while his three young adolescent sons try to move on with their life. The oldest, Donny is the only son making something of his life. He is a pre-law student and is in a loving relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carol. His younger brothers Ray and Ricky, who spend their days doing nothing, decide (convinced that he is innocent) to break their father out of jail. Donny, morally challenged, threatens to give them up to the police. Noticing their determination, he agrees to go along, convinced that they can never break Gary out without his help. The three young men drive up to prison and Donny and Ricky use their guns to keep everyone hostage, while Ray breaks out Gary and his cellmate Randy Greenawalt.