The time is 2022, the place, America.
A man, Robbins (Ray Liotta) has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his General officer. This prison is renowned for being the most secure on Earth - in fact the only way you are sure that you can leave Absolom, is when you are dead!
Since nobody ever gets out of the prison alive, nobody knows what the prison is like.
The prison warden has realized this and bought himself an island called "Absolom" where his worst prisoners are let lose to create an isolated barbaric society where the strongest men rule - a place that can only be described as a living hell.
This is where Robbins is dropped off after he almost kills the prison manager. Now he must fight to survive this harsh existence.