Through interviews, visits to historical locations and vivid reenactments, this History Channel production details the life of Andrew Jackson. It illuminates his early years as well as his accomplishments as President of the United States. Instead of avoiding the controversy that surrounds him, the show pointedly investigates why this man is a hero to some and a great villain to others.

New inmate Clay Treyton, doing time for fisticuffs, is sent to a Montana ranch where prisoners spend time working with horses. Encouraged by the warden, the men ride in prison rodeos, and murderer Ry Weston, an ex-pro horseman, is the team's top performer. Clay and Ry become friends, exchanging lessons about horses and life. But when prison black marketeers start leaning on Ry, the men have more than rodeos to worry about.