Prison

Prison

Year: 1988

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Renny Harlin

Budget: $4M

DramaThrillerHorrorCrime

After being wrongly executed, an inmate mysteriously returns from the dead seeking vengeance against the corrupt warden responsible for his demise twenty-five years earlier. The film is a tense thriller exploring themes of justice, morality, and the complex relationship between life and death, as the vengeful prisoner confronts the warden and his dark secrets.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Prison (1988)

Trace every key event in Prison (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Forsyth’s wrongful execution at Creedmore

In 1964, Charles Forsyth is executed by electric chair at Creedmore Penitentiary for a murder he did not commit. The event unfolds under the corrupt watch of warden Eaton Sharpe, who profits from and champions the brutal regime. Forsyth's unjust death plants the seeds of vengeance that echo through Creedmore’s history.

1964 Creedmore Penitentiary
2

Creedmore Penitentiary closes

Creedmore is closed in 1968 after Forsyth's case contributes to its tarnished reputation. The facility sits derelict for years, its empty halls a reminder of corruption and broken justice. The community wonders whether the prison will ever face accountability.

1968 Creedmore Penitentiary
3

Creedmore reopens to house overflow inmates

After years of closure, Creedmore is reopened to accommodate about 300 inmates from other facilities. Eaton Sharpe is appointed warden and imposes a harsher, archaic regime intended to restore order. The new opening brings a troubling sense that Creedmore’s past will repeat itself.

Post-1968 Creedmore Penitentiary
4

Katherine Walker opposes Sharpe’s posting

Katherine Walker, a reform-minded Department of Corrections official, objects to Sharpe’s appointment as warden. She suspects he’s hiding wrongdoing and is wary of his brutal methods. Her objections set up a clash between reform-minded oversight and tyrannical policing within the prison.

Post-1968 Creedmore Penitentiary / DOC offices
5

Cresus arrives with ominous warnings

Cresus, a fearful inmate who once knew Sharpe, senses something is wrong. He hints that Forsyth’s debt may still linger and that Sharpe is hiding more than he reveals. His presence foreshadows Forsyth’s return and the danger to everyone inside Creedmore.

Early after reopening Creedmore Penitentiary
6

New inmates arrive: Burke, Joe 'Lasagna' Lazano, and Tiny

A group of new inmates arrives, including Burke, Joe 'Lasagna' Lazano, and the hulking Tiny. They struggle to adapt to Sharpe’s brutal regime and the horrendous conditions. The crowded, tense atmosphere intensifies the inmates’ survival instincts.

Shortly after reopening Creedmore Penitentiary
7

Sharpe orders a basement wall-breaking assignment

Sharpe sends Burke and another inmate to the basement to break down the wall to the execution room. The act showcases his ruthlessness and disregard for safety. The operation subtly sows seeds for Forsyth’s return and the prison’s mounting fear.

Soon after arrival Creedmore Penitentiary, basement
8

Forsyth’s spirit is unleashed

During the basement project, the angry spirit of Charles Forsyth is released. The vengeful entity begins to haunt and threaten Sharpe and the inmates, signaling a debt that will not be ignored. Panic grows as the supernatural presence asserts its claim on Creedmore.

Immediately after the release Basement / Execution area
9

A wave of grisly deaths begins

A series of grisly deaths erupts among inmates and staff, all seemingly linked to Forsyth’s vengeful return. Sharpe denies any supernatural cause, instead blaming troublesome inmates and systemic chaos. The body count escalates, driving fear and distrust through the prison.

Following Forsyth’s release Creedmore Penitentiary
10

Sharpe’s denial feeds his growing guilt and sadism

Sharpe clings to denial while his guilt over Forsyth’s return intensifies. His behavior turns more sadistic and erratic as he escalates punishments to maintain control. The line between authority and monstrosity blurs inside Creedmore.

After the initial deaths Creedmore Penitentiary
11

Inmates realize they must repay Forsyth’s debt

Burke and the other inmates realize their survival hinges on allowing Forsyth to repay his long-standing debt. They face an impossible choice between complicity with the vengeful spirit and facing Sharpe’s brutal regime. Alliance and fear drive their next moves.

Mid-crisis Creedmore Penitentiary
12

Katherine Walker intensifies investigation

Walker accelerates her investigation into Sharpe’s actions, seeking evidence of corruption and potential witnesses to the murders. Her work adds pressure on the warden and raises the possibility of external intervention to stop the killings. The watchful reformer becomes a counterbalance to Sharpe's tyranny.

During crisis DOC / Creedmore Penitentiary

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Prison Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Prison

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