Competitive swimmer Avery (Richard T. Jones) is back on the swim meet circuit after having to drop out of school to support his girlfriend (Melissa De Sousa) and their son. When he's approached by a college scout after winning his latest race, he goes out to celebrate with his friends, Cashmere (Gabriel Casseus) and Dre (De'aundre Bonds). But a gun used in a drive-by shooting has made its way into Cashmere's car, and they are pulled over by the police and end up wrongly convicted of murder. Sent to the state penitentiary, they begin an ordeal that will leave their lives shattered. Against the backdrop of violence and lawlessness, Avery struggles to keep his links to the outside world. His only hopes lie with the swimming scout (Bill Nunn), who believes in Avery's innocence and fights for his release.