He's been shipped off to Hamstock, a juvenile detention center that's worse than most. At the Stock they don't try to keep juvies till they reform. They just keep guys till they feel like letting them go.
Sura and his patchmate, a kid named Coly Jo, look out for each other and try to evade the Stock's sadistic games. But things turn bad last for Coly Jo, and Sura helplessly watches his friend's descent into hell, determined to escape with his own body and spirit intact -- if he can.