After the Barnhurst fire, prisoners are moved from there to Wentworth. To H Block are moved May Collins, Willie Beecham, Nora Flynn, Daphne Graham och Julie Egbert. All these soon melt into the "good gang" led by Myra and whose main rival is Lou Kelly. Ann decrees tightened security and restrictions after the failed attempt to set Joan up, but she also encourages the women to studies and other activities.
Ruth Ballinger, wife of Australia's largest drug dealer, is arrested and placed at Wentworth. A luxurious cell is made for her and she gets everything she demands. The police hope she will reveal information which can lead to her husband's arrest. Ruth's luxurious habits first impress the women, but her superior attitude soon gives her many enemies, including Joan, Myra and Lou.
Ann's daughter, Pippa Reynolds, returns home after having stayed abroad. She starts lecturing art and design at Wentworth. Pippa renews contact with her friend Jenny Hartley, who lives with her tyrannical grandmother. When the grandmother is found murdered, Jenny is accused and ends up in Wentworth. Officer Terri Malone comes into the story. She starts romancing Joan and they move in together. Ettie, who misses the secure prison, manages after some pathetic attempts to finally be arrested and returned, with help of gangster boss Lionel Fellowes, who wants a contact to Ruth Ballinger. Meg and Dennis starts romancing, as well as Joyce and Mervin.
A terrorist group attack Wentworth to free Ruth Ballinger. The police surround the prison. The terrorists take prisoners and staff as hostage. A police attack is retaliated by the terrorists. Ruth takes command and starts negotiating with police. The terrorists threaten to shoot one hostage every hour, and to show they mean it prisoner Tammy Fisher is killed. Ruth torments Myra by asking her to decide who is next to be killed. Myra heroically refuses to choose and is therefore herself shot to death. The police now let Ruth and the terrorists leave for the airport. They go with Joan as hostage in a minibus. At the airport, the police storm the minibus. All terrorists are killed, Joan survives, Ruth is arrested and later sent to Blackmoor. In all at least 11 people were killed in this bloody drama (2 prisoners, 1 gate guard, 4 policemen and 4 terrorists).