Baviaanspoort Maximum Security prison, outside Pretoria, was notorious for its inhumane conditions - until 1992, when a new recreational soccer program was introduced. In July, 1993, the Orlando Pirates - South Africa's most popular team who, as a symbol of Soweto, are heroes to the inmates - came to Baviaanspoort to play the prison team.

THE PENALTY AREA looks at the match through Warrant Officer Ras, the warder who runs the recreation program; Martin Malhanga, a bank robber who is the prison's "head chef" and soccer coach; and Willie Shongwe, the Pirates' goalkeeper. This film, the first ever shot inside a South African prison, covers this unprecedented sporting event as, for one day, a sense of humanity is restored to thousands of convicts.