Fire Island, also known as the 'Island of the Damned,' is Russia's maximum-security prison for terrorists, assassins, mafia bosses, and serial killers. Formerly a monastery, it now houses 200 dangerous criminals serving life sentences. No one has ever escaped due to its thick walls, surrounding water, and extreme temperatures ranging from 35°C in summer to -30°C in winter. Some inmates would prefer the death penalty to continued incarceration here.

Levanov, convicted of a cruel murder, is introduced as a prisoner. Guards search his cell for forbidden items, emphasizing the strict security measures. His crime involved brutally murdering his girlfriend, Alena Sorina, after having committed a sex offense as a juvenile. He hopes for parole after 25 years, claiming drug influence for his actions, but authorities confirm his sound mind at the time of the crime. His strategy relies on reduced responsibility, remorse, and good behavior.

Fire Island is Russia's oldest maximum-security prison, located 600 km north of Moscow on Lake Novoer. The former monastery was founded in the 16th century and became a gulag after the 1917 revolution, converting into a maximum-security prison in 1994. Deputy prison governor Igor Dashkovsky highlights the impenetrable nature of the island and the refurbished facilities, including preserved frescos within the former church, now a prison wing. The harsh environment, with mosquitoes in summer and icy winds in winter, adds to the challenge of confinement.

The strict security includes guarded showers and a medical wing with an isolation room for infectious inmates. The prison is almost self-sufficient with facilities like a sewing shop and bakery. Former atheist inmates, like Mikhail Bukharov, find religion in prison. Bukharov, who committed a brutal murder, wishes for the death penalty due to the endless nature of his sentence, believing he will only leave in a coffin. This highlights the psychological impact of life imprisonment.

Prisoners volunteer for work in the sewing shop, making life jackets, souvenirs, and work clothes. This is a privilege, offering an opportunity to earn money (around €100/month) to save or send to relatives, or for compensation payments to victims' families, as Levanov does. Inmates also have two hours of yard time daily, often in small cages. Family visits are possible for inmates with good behavior, with special apartments available. However, each inmate is screened for security risks before approval.

The documentary contrasts Fire Island with other Russian prison camps, such as the one in Yavas, Mordovia, for former state officials. Prison camps offer more freedom of movement, with inmates living in barracks. While some prisoners, like former police officer Victor Salv, committed serious crimes, they are considered less dangerous than those on Fire Island. Daily routines include roll call, work, and free time, similar to maximum-security prisons, but with a more realistic possibility of early release.

Other inmates, not serving life sentences, work in service roles for lifers, running the bakery and kitchen. The use of inmates for various jobs saves personnel costs. Lifers receive meals in their cells due to safety concerns. While some inmates complain about conditions, guards believe it's often for attention. The documentary concludes by reiterating Levanov's continued hope for parole, despite the extreme difficulty of achieving it from a life sentence on Fire Island.