Within the Narkina 5 Imperial Prison Complex, Level 5 represented a typical floor. Like all levels in the penal facility, it featured a work area, containing seven rooms each equipped with seven tables, and a cell area consisting of fourteen dormitories, one for each work shift. Cassian Jeron Andor found himself assigned to this level after being imprisoned at the complex in 5 BBY. A complement of twelve guards oversaw the level, including the Room five-two security team; it also became the initial site of a large-scale riot that subsequently led to the Narkina 5 prison escape.
Level 5 was one of seven identical prison levels situated within a cylinder of the Narkina 5 prison complex. It was designed with a central control zone, incorporating elevators and stairwells that connected the level to other parts of the facility, along with monitoring and control consoles for each work room. Surrounding this zone were two rings where prisoners were confined: an inner ring for work activities and an outer ring for cells. The work and cell rings were connected by see-through skybridges, which served as the singular place where prisoners could interact with individuals from different shifts. All floors were constructed using tunqstoid steel which could be electrified from the control stations or via mobile devices carried by the prison guards and used to discipline the least productive shift of the day or quell prisoner revolts.
In 5 BBY, Cassian Andor, under the assumed name "Keef Girgo," was assigned to this level after his imprisonment. He was placed at Table Five within Unit five two D, a work unit of work room five-two under the supervision of floor manager Kino Loy. His tablemates, Ulaf, Ruescott Melshi, Jemboc, Xaul, and Ham had been the least productive table in previous shifts, but improved their output by the end of Andor's first month of incarceration. However, the increased pressure for productivity imposed by prison staff following the Public Order Resentencing Directive, along with rumors about the termination of an entire shift of prisoners on Level 4, became too much for Ulaf. His advanced age combined with the pressure caused him to suffer a severe stroke. Doctor Rhasiv was summoned to assist, but was unable to save him, and instead performed euthanasia to end his suffering. Already disillusioned with the treatment of prisoners, Doctor Rhasiv revealed the prison's secret process of inmate recycling to Loy and Andor, where prisoners who had completed their sentences were transferred to another facility to continue working indefinitely instead of being released.
After the revelation, news spread to Unit five-two-D, and the unit's inmates decided to attempt an escape the following day. Securing supplies from their assembly inventories and damaging a water pipe powering their work room's floor, they successfully subdued the sentry guards escorting a new prisoner in the ring and deactivated the Tunqstoid. After suffering significant casualties but eliminating all opposition, the five-two-D prisoners stormed their work room's control room and acquired weapons and zap rods from the armory. They then proceeded to liberate the rest of the rooms on their level, while Loy and Andor reached the prison command center and prevented the prison commander from executing their fellow inmates through an emergency floor activation. With no Imperials left to impede them, Level 5 inmates ascended to the top of the cylinder, where they were joined by others from across the cylinder, and jumped into the water surrounding the facility from the prison barge landing bays.