This is the diary of a young girl written in the 1930s, graphically detailing her harrowing experiences of punishment first at the hands of her stepfather and the local policeman. Her boss also tries to take advantage of her and she runs away, to begin life as a prostitute. From then there is only one way for poor Joan - down! She is arrested, charged with prostitution, theft and giving false evidence and finds herself in the terrible reform school. It can only get worse - and it does!