Louisa is confronted by the parallels of life and work when Brett Hodges, a prisoner a little older than her son Anthony, arrives at the jail. Hodge's attitude problem and naivety makes him vulnerable to the drug network. Thwarted in her attempt to help him, Louisa is alerted by Pat to the realities of prison life and this impacts on Louisa's personal life.

Louisa's progress with Brett Hodges is halted when a planned visit from his estranged sister is thwarted by industrial action resulting in a lock-down of the prison. After Redman's shooting, an isolated Officer Buckley must attempt to regain her status with the other officers and scornful prisoners.