[FH] Penal Colonies

In a message dated 7/20/04 1:00:33 AM,
> owner-gzg-digest@lists.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU writes:

<< From: Doug Evans <devans@nebraska.edu>

Subject: [FH] Penal Colonies RE: Idiot in distress

***

ObGZGbit: Will the advent of FTL & off-Earth colonies revive

transportation as a judicial punishment, or will colonial efforts be too

expensive to waste on criminals? Lots of SF authors seem to think it'll

make a comeback, anyway.

***

The authors can be all over the map. It can have a high 'humanitarian'

appeal. 'At least we aren't killing anyone...', ignoring the destination or

even transport may be a death sentence.

If you recall, in Dune, the Emperor's own Saudauker were the product of a

prison/death world. To carry it further, it could be argued that that

product could be a dagger in the heart of the empire, if they decide to

become rebels. Just ask USA Georgians... ;->=

ESU Penal Battalions could become, instead of first wave fodder, the

do-or-die elite. Or is that often the same result?

> [quoted text omitted]

Well, besides keep some "Hardcore" criminals in Penal units, I don't see

shipping these to another colony of yours where U will end up growing a
possible threat to your own security. I would keep prisons that are required
in the system, the prisoners are from. That is those who don't force the
guards hands.

Now I can see some systems (The Peeps) from Honor Harrington Series who had a
Prison planet location only known to a few in State Security. I can see some
people working ths way.

Have a Good One,

***
Well, besides keep some "Hardcore" criminals in Penal units, I don't see
shipping these to another colony of yours where U will end up growing a
possible threat to your own security.
***

On the contrary, I can well envision a 'company planet' where the labor was
all indentured/penal. Security is a cost, but the colony could well be
'where can you go'?

The_Beast (who wonders where the B went...)

> On the contrary, I can well envision a 'company planet' where the labor

"We're not sending guards, or locking people up, or making you slave away.
If you load acceptable quality ore, you get Earth-compatible food.  How
you do that is entirely up to you. Think of it as Practical Economics 101."