One of the earliest and most financially successful examples of the genre,[2] it was produced by Harry Alan Towers as an international co-production.

[5] New inmate Marie arrives at an island prison in the women's sector and receives the number 99.

The inmates are controlled by the sadistic lesbian warden Thelma Diaz and Governor Santos and submitted to torture, rape, sexual harassment and abuse.

When the Justice minister replaces Diaz, Marie believes that her life will improve and her case will be reopened.

[1] On February 22, 2005, Blue Underground released an unrated DVD of the English-language director's cut featuring an interview and talent biography with Franco, deleted and alternate scenes, a poster and still gallery and the film's trailer.