a ceiling and sockets pulled out. >> reporter: when his father jack mccain was named commander, he could have been freed and he refused. >> there was a correlation between my refusal to accept early release and my treatment. the treatment got very much worse. >> reporter: ultimately, they broke mccain, getting him to sign a statement admitting to claims against him which he regretted the rest of his life. >> after he signed t i think he wanted just to die. >> reporter: because he felt so disloyal? >> he felt shame that he had let the country down. >> reporter: finally, after nearly five and a half years in prison, mccain was released. >> you still see the impact of that today, the way he was tied, you know, with the way the camp raised his arms. he can't comb his hair. the things we take for granted. >> reporter: his father to first wife carol who waited anxiously