In Sheriff Coffee's absence, Joe Cartwright is called upon to escort prisoner Hank Simmons (Michael Witney) through a particularly rugged patch of terrain. Trouble is, Simmons knows the area far better than Joe. Things get even tougher for the youngest Cartwright as the charismatic Simmons banks upon his friendship with a Mexican family who may or may not be Joe's only hope for survival. Also in the cast are Manuel Padilla as Pedro, Morgan Woodward as Moorehouse, and Priscilla Garcia as Maria. Originally broadcast on October 17, 1971, "The Prisoners" was written by Arthur Heinemann. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi