Ezekiel Farragut, a college professor and heroin addict hooked on methadone, is sent to Falconer Correctional Facility after murdering his brother. Enclosed in a filthy cell, witness to the day-to-day savagery of the guards and his fellow prisoners – murderers, conmen and thieves – Farragut believes he is one of the living dead. But although he lives behind bars, no one can imprison his mind. As memories of his traumatic childhood and troubled marriage come flooding back, Farragut must struggle to survive and remain human amid the relentless brutality of Falconer.