Film giant James Cagney is right in his element in this gripping gangster drama. Racketeer Patsy Gargan allows his powerful political cronies to appoint him "deputy inspector" of a state reform school. Initially unconcerned with actually doing his job, the normally hard-hearted Patsy is surprised when a compassionate nurse helps him see the abuse and corruption being carried out by the brutal warden and his thuggish guards. He fires the administrators and implements reform, but Patsy's former criminal life comes back to haunt him, jeopardizing all of his good work.