Murder in the First

Henri Young, a 17-year-old orphan, attempts to find work at a grocery store but is denied. In desperation, he steals $5 to feed himself and his sister Rosetta, both living in poverty. His arrest leads to the upgrade of his crime to a federal offense, and he is sentenced to Leavenworth Penitentiary.

After years in prison, Henri Young is transferred to Alcatraz, where he becomes vulnerable to oppressive treatment by associate prison warden Milton Glenn. His environment becomes harsher, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Henri participates in a failed escape attempt with fellow prisoners Rufus McCain and Arthur Barker. The plan collapses after McCain's betrayal, Barker is killed, and Glenn punishes Henri by sending him to the dungeon known as 'the hole.'

Henri is subjected to brutal torture by Glenn, including beating, throwing down stairs, and using a straight razor. He is left in solitary confinement for three years, which severely damages his mental health.

After his release from 'the hole,' Henri suffers a psychotic break in the prison cafeteria, during which he kills Rufus McCain with a spoon in front of staff and other inmates, signaling his mental collapse.

Henri's trial for first-degree murder begins, with Public Defender James Stamphill arguing that the harsh conditions at Alcatraz contributed to his insanity. The trial becomes highly politicized and contentious, with evidence of mistreatment coming to light.

Stamphill exposes Glenn's role in Henri’s torture, and reveals that Alcatraz repeatedly broke legal standards for prisoner confinement. The judge dismisses some crucial testimonies, but the evidence points towards systemic mistreatment.

Stamphill arranges a visit with Rosetta, Henri’s sister, who is doing well and has named her baby after him. Henri considers changing his plea to guilty, expressing a desire to die rather than return to Alcatraz, but trusts Stamphill’s judgment.

Henri is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, with the jury recommending an investigation into Alcatraz. Stamphill plans to appeal and seek a transfer, but Henri is returned to Alcatraz and placed in 'the hole' on Glenn’s orders, believing he still 'won' in some way.

Six months after the trial, the Supreme Court sides with the facts, leading to the closure of Alcatraz’s dungeons. Glenn is convicted of mistreatment and barred from working in the US penal system again. Stamphill reflects on Henri's influence on his life.

Alcatraz officially closes as a prison in 1963. It becomes a major tourist attraction visited by over a million people annually, symbolizing a significant chapter in US penal history.