Billy Hayes

Now if youve read the book, or have seen the film you may be familiar with the story: 23 year old Billy Hayes was brining hash back from Turkey in 1970 and was caught by authorities and sentenced to 4 years 2 months in a Turkish prison.

Hayes carried out his sentence, and with only 54 days left to serve the government decided to make an example of him by changing his sentence to life (which they reduced to 30 years)..

Source: http://www.daemonstv.com/2010/06/28/locked-up-abroad-the-real-midnight-express-early-review/