In an effort to obtain a true story from Davis, a swindler who had taken the rap to protect some higher-ups, professional football star/reporter Jim O'Brien is sent to State Prison under fake charges. Davis has died but the district attorney and Jim's editor refuse to admit their connections to the frame-up and Jim is forced to remain behind bars. The editor promises Jim a governor's pardon after the next election, and assigns him to do a series of articles on the self-regulation system of Warden Collins. The latter allows him freedom of the prison, which throws Jim into contact with Betty Collins, the warden's daughter.