Two new prisoners, Karen Travers and Lyn Warner, are inducted into Wentworth Detention Centre and have to adjust to the harsh regime and the tough women they meet there. Karen, convicted of stabbing her cheating husband to death in the shower, turns out to be an old flame of prison Doctor Greg Miller. Lynn has been convicted of kidnapping and burying a baby alive, and though she loudly protests her innocence, she is bullied by the other women, led by their 'Top Dog', murderess Bea Smith. Meanwhile, young inmate Sally Lee hangs herself in her cell while going through serious drug withdrawal. Tough lesbian Franky Doyle goes berserk when she learns her girlfriend Doreen Anderson, is being moved to another cell and destroys the Recreation Room. Bea Burns Lynn's hand in the steam press and Lynn reports her for it, putting Bea's upcoming parole in jeopardy. Late at nigh, bent screw Officer Yates lets Bea out of her cell so she can go and scare Lynn into withdrawing her complaint. Written by Darren Smith

Lynn withdraws her complaint, so Bea's release is approved. The prisoners hold a farwell party for Bea and Mum. Mum leaves her beloved garden in the hands of Lynn. Mum is released into the care of her daughter, Lorraine, and Bea gets a lift into town from Eddie. Meg and Bill are having problems with their teenage son Marty, who tells them he wants to move out and get a place with his girlfriend. With Bea gone, Franky siezes the opportunity to take over the press and announces she is now in charge. Greg tries to talk Karen into appealing against her sentence, realising her husband was abusing her. Lynn goes on hunger strike until her innocence is believed. Mum's daughter rejects her, saying she doesn't want her coming home with her, so Mum checks into a grotty bedsit in town. Bea spends her first night of freedom in luxury at a hotel. Next morning, she visits daughter Debbie's grave and picks up a package from her old cellmate, a present for her husband.

With Frankie's hold over the women growing, she attempts to show the screws who is in charge by getting the women to stay in the dinning room until she gives the order for them to leave. Prostitute Chrissie Latham tries to seduce Bill but he turns her down. Lizzie and Marilyn mess around with the wiring so that Eddie will be called in. Marilyn and Eddie climb up into the roof for a Liaison. Bea's return sends Frankie over the edge and she starts a riot in the dinning room. Bea, Doreen and some other women are trapped in the laundry; Frankie, Lizzy, Chrissie and others are in the dinning room. Frankie wants the gates unlocked so she and Bea can fight it out. Trapped in Frankie's side, pregnant prisoner Rosie Hudson goes into labour. Meg is taken hostage by Frankie's mob and tied up in the dinning room. Bill tries to talk Frankie into letting Meg go. She agrees, but in the meantime Vera Bennett deliberately unlocks the gates letting all hell break loose as she and her gang overpower ... Written by Darren Smith

Bill dies on the way to hospital and Rosie gives Birth to a boy. Meg is devastated as the police investigate into Bill's murder begins. The cops are not getting very far; meanwhile, Eddie tells Marilyn he saw who stabbed Bill. Bea and the girls learn from him that it was Chrissie who killed him. They attack and scalp Chrissie, and she is transferred away to another prison. Meg turns up for work, yells at everyone and is sent home by Erika Davidson until the funeral is passed, Mum collapses at the bedsit and her landlady goes through her belongings. After the funeral, Erika tells meg that she doesn't have to come back to the prison, she will get compensation from the department for Bills death. Meg is Furious and tells Erica she isn't going anywhere. Written by Darren Smith

Mum recuperates from her collapse at her daughter's home but has to pretend to the children that she is an aunt as Lorraine told them their grandmother was dead. Frankie and Bea fight during a dance class in the Rec Room. Yates is caught smuggling the pill in for Marilyn. Suspected of being the one who supplied Sally Lee with drugs, she is reprimanded by Erica Davidson, and quits in disgust. Bea reads the girls tea Leaves and Lizzie pinches a bottle of surgical spirit from the infirmary. Mum can't deal with Lorraine any longer and walks out. After which Judith Anne learns that she is really her grandmother. Mum is arrested for shoplifting and sent back to Wentworth. Meg Jackson is still very angry after Bill's death and takes it out on the women, and tells Lynne Warner, her hunger strike is a waist of time. Lynne digs a hole under the fence and plans to escape but is caught by Meg Jackson and Vera Bennet and collapses. Greg examines he and tells he she is pregnant. Written by Darren Smith

Lynn reveals she must be pregnant after being raped by her employer, Mr Bentley, the father of the baby she is supposed to have buried alive. Frankie bullies Lizzie into giving her some of her Buy-Up and later steals her false teeth when she refuses. Marilyn learns she is to be paroled in a few days. Eddie proposes to he but she turns him down, though she agrees to move in with him. Horrified by Lynne's story, Meg Jackson attitude softens again and she tells Erica Davidson she believes Lynn. Screw, Vera Bennet, is having trouble with her ailing mother but refuses to put he in a home, Lizzie and Doreen plan to escape with a pair of rusty old wire cutters but in the end Lizzie is too drunk to go. Frankie's brother Gary comes to visit and tells her he wants to build a farm and have her come to live with him there. Judith-Anne comes to visit mum. Meg Jackson and Erica Davidson think there is enough evidence to have Lynne's case reopened. Written by Darren Smith

Lizzie finds a stray cat in the garden and brings it into the prison. When it dies, she blames Frankie for killing it, but it turns out she did it accidentally herself by giving it water from the garden tainted with weed killer. Lizzie then tries to fake amnesia in order to get an early release but Meg Jackson sees right through it. Gary Doyle comes to visit Frankie again and gives her a copy of his plans for the farm. Later the other women deface the plans by scribbling all over them. Mum suggests Frankie work in the garden to keep her away from Bea Smith. Erica Davidson and Meg Jackson ponder Frankie's chances of parole. Some male prisoners come to work outside the fence to work on the drainage system and Lynn Warner befriends one of them, a guy named Doug. Vera's mother has a hart attack and dies. Marilyn is released to live with Eddie but, unable to get a job after being inside, she considers going back into prostitution. Written by Darren Smith

Bea Smith and the other inmates find out about Frankie's plans to get paroled and live on a farm so they try to rile her into blowing her chances. Marilyn gets a job at a hotel but she is demoted after beauty consultant Helen Masters complains about her and then quits after being sexually harassed by her boss. She goes back on the game to buy Eddie a birthday present, prompting them to have a row and she walks out on him. Helen Masters is sent to Wentworth charged with manslaughter after her car is used in a hit-and-run. At first she is to be bailed but when she tries to skip the country the police send her to jail. She finds it hard to settle in, and is tormented by Vera Bennett and teased and bullied by the other prisoners. Finally, she announces she is withdrawing her bail application and intends to make as much trouble as possible while she is in Wentworth. Written by Darren Smith

Marilyn's boyfriend Eddie is suspicious of where she got the money for his birthday gift: back on the game (prostitution)? The final straw is a visitor who is obviously a workmate from the street. Officials and inmates are puzzled when Helen Masters drops her application for bail. She uses the media to bring attention to the innocent women being incarcerated--including herself, of course. The Bentleys, the culprits responsible for Lyn's conviction, continue their libertine ways, but are finally exposed and arrested. Written by jeaneva

Helen Masters sets out to affect the quality of prison meals as part of her campaign to get a character witness for her trial, the prison doctor. Marilyn returns to prison, but Eddie is through. Vera's drinking almost gets her arrested in a pub, but the officer grants her professional courtesy and takes her home. Masters cons everybody--even her blackmailing assistant--and wins acquittal, trashing the prison officials and inmates in her first TV interview. Written by jeaneva

Mrs Burns tells Doreen that if she and Kevin marry, she will disown him. Lizzie chases her down the street with a frying pan, but eventually talks Mrs Burns round. Lizzie and Doreen go to celebrate, get wrecked and try to shoplift booze under cover of one of Lizzie's fake turns. However, when Dor walks out of the shop with the booze, the cops show up. The VJ gives Sharon another week in the pound; relations improve between Judy, Chrissie and Bea. Chrissie agrees to stay away from Sharon. When Judy finds out Sharon will be gone another week, she smacks Bea in the face so she can get sent to Solitary to be nearer her. Paul goes to check on Vivienne, but there's no answer, and nobody has seen her for days. Caroline tells him where to find a spare key: he lets himself in and finds her unconscious, having taken an overdose. Paul agrees to let Sally stay a while. Written by Anonymous

The inmates start realigning after Master's release; Frankie gains motivation from her brother to work on good behavior. Lyn, who has returned to her parents' home, runs away with Doug whom she had met while in prison. A detective, pretending to be attracted to Vera, interrogates Marilyn about her associates and their drug connections. Frankie, who can't read, gets a telegram saying her brother was injured and goes berserk when it's read to her, deciding to end it all. Written by jeaneva

The inmates start realigning after Master's release; Frankie gains motivation from her brother to work on good behavior. Lyn, who has returned to her parents' home, runs away with Doug whom she had met while in prison. A detective, pretending to be attracted to Vera, interrogates Marilyn about her associates and their drug connections. Frankie, who can't read, gets a telegram saying her brother was injured and goes berserk when it's read to her, deciding to end it all. Written by jeaneva

Vera's attitude continues to become more punitive toward the inmates, bringing a reprimand from the governor. Lizzie's heart forces her to return to the prison, while Frankie and Doreen face life on the run with no money. Lyn faces the fact that Doug is still a criminal, and she reluctantly gets involved in a holdup. Written by jeaneva

Shot in the holdup, Doug dies and Lyn cannot run, so she calls the prison doctor who gets there just before the cops. She loses her baby. Doug gets sacked because of his involvement with Marilyn. Frankie and Doreen are still on the run. The new social worker visits Mum's granddaughter and explains how much Mum needs to see her. Karen's mother is planning to be remarried, and in her first prison visit is appalled at the news Karen might get a retrial, renewing the publicity. Written by jeaneva

Karen permits the prison doctor to contact her lawyer about a retrial, and Dr. Miller kisses her. Vera walks in on them and reports him. A new prisoner, who is reputed to be really tough, is admitted; she and Bea turn out to be old friends, dashing Vera's hopes. Lyn is returned to prison. Doreen and Frankie have disguised themselves as nuns to beg money on the street, but decide to find an older person whom they can rob and perhaps take over their home. Written by jeaneva

Marilyn and Mum are released; Mum will help her pregnant granddaughter. Eddie and Marilyn are going to have a chance to run a milk bar owned by the new inmate, thanks to Bea's intervention. Bea and her friend Ferguson hatch a plot to get rid of Vera by accusing her of assault on a prisoner. Frankie and Doreen stay with the elderly woman they found, and she turns out to be aware of who they are--and doesn't care; she just wants company. Karen's lawyer files for a retrial, but he so discourages Lynn that she attempts suicide. Written by jeaneva

Lyn is found with her wrist cut and taken to hospital. A new inmate arrives: the niece of the governor. She is not wise to the way prisoners think; she reveals her relationship, promises to get her aunt's help for prisoners, and snitches on Bea's plot against Vera. Doreen and Frankie share the birthday of their hostess and are interrupted by a visit from her nephew Trevor. Karen's lawyer finds the woman who was present when Karen stabbed her husband and also finds out about Karen's abortion. Written by jeaneva

Frankie and Doreen have to go on the run again. The governor's niece involves Vera in planting drugs in Ferguson's cell and then attempts to blackmail her into getting special privileges. The prison is put on a tight security mode when the drugs are found. A young teenage girl is abducted by a man claiming to be a family friend and is raped; police offer little hope in finding him. Written by jeaneva

Doreen hooks up with a bloke with a room, leaving Frankie to fend for herself, but he leaves Doreen bruised. Frankie gets revenge before they leave. Barbara Davidson, the governor's niece, is revealed as the drug smuggler thanks to Lyn's searching of her cabinet; Bea vindicates Ferguson. The rapist is seen by the girl in a neighborhood store, and her mother attacks him with her car. Written by jeaneva

Karen's barrister, Mr. Wilson, is retained to represent Mrs. Roberts who killed the man who raped her daughter. She is remanded to prison and finds the adjustment hard. Doreen and Frankie must find a way to get money; Frankie favors a bank robbery. Karen receives the letter from Frankie; Lyn gets assurance she will get a light sentence. On their way to a robbery, Frankie is shot and killed; Doreen walks back to prison and turns herself in because she blames Karen for Frankie's wanting to escape and plans revenge. Written by jeaneva

Doreen's hostility boils over; she blames Karen's rebuff for Frankie's death. She attempt to become the bully Frankie was. Barbara is in solitary for bringing in drugs, and Vera has the upper hand. Lizzie gets a day out to see her dying brother, escorted by the governor, which coincides with Barbara's hearing. The Roberts struggle with whether her plea should be temporary insanity. Lyn's father visits her and the result is her feeling that her only hope is to get tough. Meanwhile Vera is selectively ignoring violence among the inmates. Written by jeaneva

Barbara's hearing manages to cast doubt on her aunt's impartiality, thanks to Vera's innuendos. A departmental investigation is planned. Lizzie's brother dies after a bitter row with her. Lyn's father blows hot and cold about supporting her at trial; Lyn herself flips back and forth between cooperation and rebellion. Mrs. Roberts does not allow her daughter to testify and is convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to 3 years in Wentworth. Written by jeaneva

Barbara is being bullied by Doreen; Vera eggs it on, hoping it will somehow get Mrs. Davidson in trouble. Lyn's father gets her a job if she gets work release, and she reverts to her normal attitudes (her trial results in 12 months with remission). The governor's husband tries to convince her that Barbara is being treated too harshly by the staff. Mr. Wilson has represented Roberts and Lyn and tries to find Karen's mother to be a witness for the appeal who isn't interested, as she is planning to remarry and determined to put her daughter's problems behind her. Barbara barricades herself in her cell, threatening to set herself on fire; her aunt decides to wait her out. Written by jeaneva

Barbara's aunt talks her out of the cell, but feels she must transfer her ASAP. Doreen attempts to apologize but Barbara ignores her. Because of the costs of defense, the Roberts have been forced to sell their business, rent their house and send their daughter to live with an aunt, as the father has had to take a job elsewhere. Lyn is okayed to do work release at a plant nursery. Karen's retrial drags up all the memories and seems hopeless the first day. The second goes better, but Karen must now be cross-examined. Written by jeaneva

Karen's appeal seems to be going badly since there is no corroboration for her husband's abuse. Lyn goes off happily to her nursery job and is left alone while the owner runs errands. The office is locked, and when a customer hands her money, she puts it in her pocket. A woman is caught shoplifting and sent to Wentworth on remand; she refuses to give her name although her fingerprints will identify her as a repeat offender. Karen's mother reconsiders, testifies to hearing the husband demand Karen get an abortion, and the jury reduces her conviction to manslaughter. The judge reduces her sentence to 2 years. Lyn is accused of taking the money by her boss, although she had forgotten it; she walks off the job and police are notified. At the appointed time, Lyn walks up to the prison gate. Written by jeaneva

The shoplifter's name is found (Susan); her mother reveals that the husband has filed for divorce and she has custody of Susan's children. Susan dashes the expectations of inmate fans when a TV heartthrob appears on screen by claiming he is the reason her husband is abandoning his family. Vera meets a former prison officer in a bar and is impressed with her flat, clothes, and other possessions; she does not suspect there is an illegal activity involved. Knowing Vera's loneliness seems to make it easy for the boss to draw her into his net. Written by jeaneva

Susan's erratic behavior continues: writing on the cell walls with lipstick, tearing her bedclothes to shreds. Lyn's work release employer calls, offering her job back. Mr. Wilson encourages Karen to take college classes during her prison term so that she will be prepared for another career other than teaching. Susan's husband sues for custody of their children, and Wilson is his attorney. Though troubled by not knowing how he makes a living, Vera continues to see George. When he reveals he deals drugs, Vera feels used; she feels so unattractive she can't believe he could like her for herself. He pursues her, claiming he truly cares for her. The former screw, Ann Yates, is arrested for dealing, and he asks Vera to try to protect her. Written by jeaneva

Bea hates drug dealers so much the administration tries to conceal the reason Ann Yates is in Wentworth. Lyn has a good day at work and realizes her boss hasn't told her coworker that she is in prison (which leads to complications). Susan is interviewed by a psychiatrist who sees her as normal, needing only marriage counseling, although she has been violent in the social worker's office. Lizzie and Doreen want to go on work release so bad that they break into the governor's office in order to get applications and let Doreen forge Mrs. Davidson's signature. For her help, Bea asks for Yates' file since she suspects her of bringing in the drugs that killed her daughter. Written by jeaneva

Susan's court date results in her release; her husband gets custody of their children; she leaves home. When the camera scans the audience at a TV show where Jason Richards is appearing, Susan is sitting there zoned out. Suddenly she runs up on stage and throws acid in his face. She is returned to Wentworth and is fantasizing about her husband coming for her. Meg reads the newspaper and learns that Jason Richards is the stage name of Susan's husband Frederick. Susan has split the man in two: Jason Richards as the one causing her husband's absence from his family and Frederick, her loving husband. The inmates have learned Yates is a drug dealer and are making her life miserable, especially Bea Smith. When she corners her, Yates pulls out a knife she hid from the cafeteria and stabs Bea. The prison is locked down but Yates is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, the son of Lyn's boss is attracted to her, and his dad warns him off: She's a crim, son. Written by jeaneva

Yates is missing and the search begins for her. Next morning Lizzie finds her dead in the dryer. Vera realizes she was to blame but keeps quiet. With Bea in hospital, Monica decides to take over as 'Top Dog' and clashes with Noeline Burke. They both blame each other for killing Yates, but Noeline is packed of to the pound for lying to Erica Davidson, about it. Meg Jackson tells Mum about Bea being in hospital Mum goes to visit her but is not allowed in, as Judith-Anne lets slip to Jean that Meg Jackson has been visiting them. Steve invites Jean to dinner to meet Clara Goddard, who if interested in funding a halfway house. Later Clara turns up to ask Steve for legal advice, saying she is about to be arrested. With Yates dead, Vera plans to flee the country with George but he goes without her, leaving her with an envelope of money. Written by Darren Smith

Bea learns she will be going back to Wentworth soon, so she drugs her police guard and escapes from the hospital. Mum is shocked when Bea turns up on her doorstep but agrees she can stay for a few days, against Judith-Anne's protest. Panic ensues when Meg turns up to visit Mum. Noeline continues to throw her weight around with Bea absent so Monica, Lizzie and Doreen give her an extremely hot shower furious, Noeline pinches Lizzie's smoke's and rips the arm's and legs of Doreen's teddy. Syd fires Lyn without warning. George Lucas turns up at Vera's place and forces her to turn him into the police. Clara Goddard tells Steve she has been charged with embezzling a lot of money. she cannot afford to pay her bail and is sent to Wentworth on remand, were she is a big hit with the other women. Written by Darren Smith

Meg is suspicious when she finds a packet of Bea's cigarettes and Mum has to make excuses. Meanwhile, Bea has hidden in the next room. Later, Bea asks Mum to go see Val and get some cash so she can buy a dress and a wig. Judith-Anne goes instead, but Val has moved. She buys the dress and wig herself so that Bea will leave. Meg realises Mum must have been hiding Bea. She and Jean go back to the flat, and narrowly miss bumping into Bea. Jean has to tell Lynn she has been fired, but Jean eventually manages to talk Syd into taking her back. Noeline tries to bully Clara, and bashes Karen when she stands up for her. She then recruits thick Martha as her offsider, but Monica thumps her anyway and threatens to spin dry her. Jean moves out of Meg's unit. Vera pays George's bail but he ties her up in her flat and skips the country. Written by Anonymous

Bea returns to Mum's flat, furious over Judith-Anne lying to her. Judith-Anne finally agrees to find out where Val is, but after she contacts Val, Val calls the police. Bea spots the police in time and turns up on Val's doorstep, forcing her to let her stay. Later, a policeman arrives at Val's house looking for Bea. Erica finds Vera tied up in her flat and calls the police. Vera admits it was Lucas who tied her up. She learns she may face charges for associating with known criminals. Erica wants to demote her, but Meg gets her to reconsider. Monica tries to show her dominance over the women with a sit-in but Karen breaks it. Doreen tries to stand up to her but nobody backs her up. Clara refuses Steve's offer of bail. Noeline is moved in to share a cell with Karen. Written by Anonymous

Bea hides in Val's garden until the cops leave, and is spotted by nosy Yvonne, the girl who lives next door. She tells Val that she knows who Bea is and wants to know more about her. Monica gets Lizzie to start making home brew, and they get Lynn to smuggle in the yeast for it. She is very nearly caught by Vera, but manages to hide it in the garden, from where Lizzie retrieves it. After the booze is made, Monica sells it on to the other women and leaves Lizzie with none. Steve's acquaintance Marianne de Vere says she's interested in funding the halfway house. Karen gets permission to get out on study leave. Noeline's brother, Col, tells her the family are in trouble and have no money. She suggests he robs a house where their mum worked but he is disturbed by Mrs Woods, the pregnant occupier. He panics, takes her hostage and shoots at a passing cop car. Written by Anonymous

The home brew causes friction amongst the women, as Monica sells it on but won't give Lizzie any. Clara gets permission to have a birthday party and the women are allowed into the kitchen to prepare for it. Lizzie takes yeast from the kitchen and makes more booze in a cupboard, but Noeline muscles in on the scheme. The party goes well, until Noeline sneaks away and gets roaring drunk in the Laundry, where she's found by Erica and Meg. Col Burke's siege continues, but he doesn't know what to do next. He asks to see Noeline and she arrives with Vera, somewhat the worse for wear after her booze exploits. Noeline sneers at Col, dismissing him as useless and while he is distracted, Vera rescues Mrs Woods. Col runs out of the house after them all and is shot dead by the cops. Noeline is distraught. Yvonne spitefully calls the cops on Bea after she breaks up a rowdy party the girl is throwing. Written by Anonymous

The police turn up at Val's place and arrest Bea, but she persuades them Val didn't have any choice but let her stay. She is brought back to Wentworth and welcomed back by Doreen. With little effort, Bea reclaims the press. That night after lights out, Noeline punches her, but next morning it is Noeline who wakes up worse for wear. Bea goes to the Governor and admits she walloped her. Monnie is still adamant she's in charge, leading to a brawl between them, during which Meg is knocked out. They finally declare a truce. Erica furiously cancels Lynn and Karen's day releases when no-one will say where the booze came from, so Clara takes sole blame for the alcohol and is sent to Solitary. Steve tells Karen he has feelings for her but is rebuffed. Greg looks after Meg after her accident and they end up spending the night together. Written by Anonymous

Minnie tells Ann about the tape and that Sonia has another copy. Paul disturbs an intruder at his studio. Brenda has the tape passed onto Don Baxter. Sonia and Brenda learn over the radiowaves that the drug drop is on and they make plans. Arthur enquires about getting Lizzie paroled to live with the family. Arthur asks Ann to arrange for Lizzie's parole, so she can live with the family. Paul's studio is searched by the police, who find child porn and charge him. Sonia wants the tape back but Brenda tells her it was ruined. Judy's trial gets underway. David tells Mary Adler he'll try and help her get out of Wentworth. Brenda shows Sonia the drugs and the printing plates for the licences. Joan is approached by a stranger on the way home who offers to sell her the tape. Written by Anonymous

Spider finally succeeds in pushing Rita too far. Rodney makes plans to get back at Lisa. Kath's escape could end with her in a pine box.