Circumstances connect them to the murder of a black gambler and they're sent away for life to a state prison there.
Innocence is no defense, no consolation.
Ray's continual plans and ill-fated attempts to escape give both men a vital occupation beyond the menial tasks assigned daily. By aiming its limited humor too low, the picture also undercuts the intelligent emotionalism. In the end, as in our dreams, everyone gets what he deserves. That this is done without particular vindictiveness is to the film's credit. A brief foray outside the prison for Claude where he views the enormously changed world he's not seen in decades show he's a prisoner of more than some guarded buildings.