Is forced labour of Criminals considered appropriate in Communist theory?

[Dulce et Decorum est]

Title says it all. Only taking theory into account, not practice.

[runequester]

Title says it all. Only taking theory into account, not practice.

In a socialist state, it's certainly possible. If done /well/, it could be part of a process of rehabilitation even.

Under true communism, there wouldn't be much of a prison system.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Within authoritarian socialism it is certainly possible, but not within "democratic" or,as far as I am aware, Trotskyist versions of socialism. I think it really depends on the tendency which you ask.

[Kamos]

Well, I would say yes, as long as conditions are humane. It makes sure that the prisoner is still productive even if he's not rehabilitated successfully, and it might also be a deterrent to some, making it useful instead of longer sentences.

[Welshy]

While I think the Capitalists and their supporters will need to be rehabilitated, I have a hard justifying the use of what is essentially slave labor with marxism.

[Caj]

it really depends on the tendency which you ask.

This. Libertarian socialists are going to tend to say no and authoritarians yes.

[The Douche]

No. Definitely not.


How is this even up for discussion?


Communism means ending alienated labor.

[Rooster]

Forced labour? You mean, slave labour, right? A slave is a means of production so in socialism, the slave is commonly owned. I don't see how people could support that idea being in socialism.

[Tim Cornelis]

I don't see why community work couldn't be part of a rehabilitation program...

Doesn't the EZLN use this instead of a penal prison system?

[ArrowLance]

Absolutely not. Labour should however be made available to anyone detained for whatever reason. Remember that people have a right to work that can not be violated by any detainment. So in theory the idea of forced labour is ridiculous by any true marxists' standards, and i'm sure just about every anarchists' standard as well.

[runequester]

I don't see why community work couldn't be part of a rehabilitation program...

Doesn't the EZLN use this instead of a penal prison system?

In a transition society ("socialism"), of course.

In whatever the final society looks like, it would depend on what is democratically determined, as there'd be no state to enforce it.

[Die Rote Fahne]

Only if they are compensated, otherwise it is slavery. It should be optional, however, for a shorter term of unpaid labour be offered as opposed to just incarceration.

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

Couldn't be argued that labor be apart of the rehabilitation process? I honestly don't see what it is so wrong about requiring murderers and other violent criminals to work while incarcerated as part of an over all rehabilitation program. It would benefit the people in general and the criminals themselves. Under humane conditions of course. To me it sounds like some here think it's more humane to just lock them up like beasts and let them rot than get out, work, live, etc. Required labor doesn't always have to conjure up images of slaves building pyramids and the like.

[Sugarnotch]

No. Definitely not.


How is this even up for discussion?


Communism means ending alienated labor.

Fucking this.

[Sir Comradical]

Depends on the conditions that the regime finds itself in. My opinion? Being punished doesn't remove your obligation to work.

[rollshevik]

I don't think so, prison should be about reform, not punishment.

[runequester]

I don't think so, prison should be about reform, not punishment.

Work can be reform. Required labour doesn't have to mean toiling in Siberia.

I'd rather have a criminal be taught to do something constructive than sit in a jail somewhere.

[Die Neue Zeit]

Required labour doesn't have to mean toiling in Siberia.

Except for serious counter-revolutionaries, serial murderers and other capital offenders, serial rapists, etc.

[citizen of industry]

I would have to say definitely not. Forced labor without compensation is slavery. Post US Civil War it was a common practice for carpetbaggers and scallawags to employ prison labor because they could avoid paying wages to freed slaves and could exploit them to death without having to worry about someone complaining to the freedmen's bureau. It's a big problem in the US too with privatized prisons using prisoners to produce saleable commodities, competing with other producers, profiting, and not paying their workers anything for it. No way is prison labor right.

I wouldn't be against teaching someone a skill as part of reform though. In Japan it is common for prisoners to become hairdressers, of all things. The budget haircut places employ ex-cons who were trained in prison. There are other trades to learn as well.

[Aspiring Humanist]

Ah so Slave Labor isn't below the Marxist Leninists...

Under socialism there should be no prisons much less slavery

[runequester]

Ah so Slave Labor isn't below the Marxist Leninists...

Under socialism there should be no prisons much less slavery


And I figure you are hoping pretty hard that under socialism, there won't be murderers.

[Geiseric]

In true socialism, there will not be the need for anybody to be criminal since they have jobs already. You can't fix a serial killer by having them dig ditches. If anything they will be more confused, they need psychological help. however i don't see the point of punishing actual counter revolutionaries, if they're punished then their kids will also be counter revolutionary, or criminals since their dad's been in prison his entire life. it should be decided on an individual level for the capitalists though, if they give up their wealth by being mature and realising their time is done, I don't see a point to punishing them. I'm sure they hate their lives enough already by that point.

[Dulce et Decorum est]

Couldn't be argued that labor be apart of the rehabilitation process? I honestly don't see what it is so wrong about requiring murderers and other violent criminals to work while incarcerated as part of an over all rehabilitation program. It would benefit the people in general and the criminals themselves. Under humane conditions of course. To me it sounds like some here think it's more humane to just lock them up like beasts and let them rot than get out, work, live, etc. Required labor doesn't always have to conjure up images of slaves building pyramids and the like.

Yes, I was thinking along these lines. Gulags & Concentration Camps like Auschwitz weren't what I was thinking. Have them eat enough, drink plenty of water and have enough sleep in some sounds fine to me.

[No_Leaders]

No! prisons must be abolished.

[Kamos]

Ah so Slave Labor isn't below the Marxist Leninists...

Under socialism there should be no prisons much less slavery

Under socialism, there will be criminals. Then again, libertarian socialism requires letting all criminals free, no? Some people need to get a grip on reality. Socialism isn't perfect, we'll have plenty of problems to deal with, criminals being one.

[00000000000]

In the sense of a more robust form of community service, I think there's a place for putting criminals to work rather than letting them stagnate in a cell with no view to reforming those whose can be reformed. And for the extreme cases (pedophiles, serial killers), it means they may be of some use or benefit to soceity instead of just killing them or locking them up til they die.
Not in favour of gulags / camps; irrespective of the crime, basic human dignity should be preserved (adequate food, water etc)

[Kamos]

In the sense of a more robust form of community service, I think there's a place for putting criminals to work rather than letting them stagnate in a cell with no view to reforming those whose can be reformed. And for the extreme cases (pedophiles, serial killers), it means they may be of some use or benefit to soceity instead of just killing them or locking them up til they die.
Not in favour of gulags / camps; irrespective of the crime, basic human dignity should be preserved (adequate food, water etc)

Pretty much this.

[La Comédie Noire]

This is one of those questions where it is easy to make assumptions based off of past and present class societies. The better question to ask is would there even be prisoners, as we know them, in a communist society?

But I'd say forced labor is a no-no for any aspiring democratic society.

[Rss]

If criminals have decent pay, decent living conditions and support from medical staff, shrinks and social workers (who are actually dedicated to their jobs), I don't see much of a problem.

Of course, in libertarian socialism none of this will be necessary. Magic of socialism, flowers, puppies, cupcakes, friendship and pink stuffed animals will make even the most hard-core counterrevolutionaries and depraved killers go "D'awwwwww", cry and reform themselves through remorse and love.

[citizen of industry]

If criminals have decent pay, decent living conditions and support from medical staff, shrinks and social workers (who are actually dedicated to their jobs), I don't see much of a problem.

Of course, in libertarian socialism none of this will be necessary. Magic of socialism, flowers, puppies, cupcakes, friendship and pink stuffed animals will make even the most hard-core counterrevolutionaries and depraved killers go "D'awwwwww", cry and reform themselves through remorse and love.

The question wasn't whether of not there will be criminals, just whether or not there will be forced labor of criminals. Capitalist nations like to use their prisoners for forced labor, because they have massive prison systems and millions of prisoners, a huge pool of potential labor they can abuse for practically nothing. I don't know about puppies and cupcakes, but the labor pool would be a helluvalot smaller once you take out all the victimless crime prisoners, like drug abusers/dealers, prostitutes, "3 strikes" prisoners, etc. I like to think suicide is rage directed inwards, and murder is rage directed outwards. People who channel their rage into organizations like unions and parties don't usually suicide or murder. And what causes the rage? Poverty and alienation. When socialism takes that away your potential labor pool dwindles away to a few nutters who need treatment and reform, not punishment or forced labor.

In the US it's something like what, 1% of the total population behind bars. That's incredible. That's over 3 million people, larger than some nations. A huge percentage of them minorities, a huge percentage of them coming from impoverished backgrounds. Socialism is going to demolish that percentage. And there wont be any need for forced labor, because we wont be producing for profit, 3 or 4 day work weeks, production based on consumption, no competition or unemployment. If prisoners want to labor, they can be given something productive and be compensated for it, voluntarily.

[piet11111]

Work as rehabilitation is something i would support.
Besides under socialism work wont be alienating so if the job fits the prisoner he/she might even enjoy being able to have something constructive to do.
And when they get out they have the experience to continue doing that job.

Prison could also be a great place to educate people so that they are equipped with everything they need to be able to function in outside society.

[tracher999]

Ah so Slave Labor isn't below the Marxist Leninists...

Under socialism there should be no prisons much less slavery

yeah idd:cool:

[tom1992]

I do not think it is correct, it is better to understand why the person did the crime and then see what we can do. I do think that teaching skills is a better alternative. Not a big fan of sending everybody to prison (although i do think that people that rape, kill, owners of disgusting banks/companies should be jailed).

[runequester]

In the sense of a more robust form of community service, I think there's a place for putting criminals to work rather than letting them stagnate in a cell with no view to reforming those whose can be reformed. And for the extreme cases (pedophiles, serial killers), it means they may be of some use or benefit to soceity instead of just killing them or locking them up til they die.
Not in favour of gulags / camps; irrespective of the crime, basic human dignity should be preserved (adequate food, water etc)

Thats basically what is argued here.

[#FF0000]

no

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

Yes. You commit a crime, your going to work for it. I would say no and straight to the gallows but you guys and gals here are all "murder isn't bad, but when they are killed for murder, it's like "oh noes, theys are killing someone"

[Luisrah]

Well, when someone asks "How will we stop people from being lazy in communism?", you come and say "Hey, if you don't work what you can, you don't get what you need".

Then why is it that suddenly, if you commit a crime and go to jail, you stop having to work to continue to live?
No one is asking for gulags and concentration camps and whatever.
But if in a communist society someone refuses to give their contribute even if he/she is capable they stop recieving the contribute from society (food, shelter whatever) right?
Then wouldn't a criminal work too? :confused:

Atleast give him the option to work to make his sentence shorter...

[Die Rote Fahne]

Ah so Slave Labor isn't below the Marxist Leninists...

Under socialism there should be no prisons much less slavery
And we do what with counter-revolutionaries, rapists, child molesters?

[runequester]

And we do what with counter-revolutionaries, rapists, child molesters?

They'll be cured by socialist faerie magic (tm)

It's sold in bottles at the state store.

[#FF0000]

Yes. You commit a crime, your going to work for it. I would say no and straight to the gallows but you guys and gals here are all "murder isn't bad, but when they are killed for murder, it's like "oh noes, theys are killing someone"

Straight to the gallows for a crime. That is interesting.


And we do what with counter-revolutionaries, rapists, child molesters?

What is a counter-revolutionary?

Anyway, restorative justice is the way to go, and any justice system should focus on rehabilitation if possible and separation/incapacitation if necessary. Sorry but retribution and deterrence just don't work and aren't really sound bases for a "justice system".

[Rss]

They'll be cured by socialist faerie magic (tm)

It's sold in bottles at the state store.

My Little Commies: Socialism is Magic.

"I used to wonder what comradeship could be..."

[28350]

And for the extreme cases (pedophiles, serial killers), it means they may be of some use or benefit to soceity instead of just killing them or locking them up til they die.

Do you mean pedophiles or those who sexually abuse children?

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

In true socialism, there will not be the need for anybody to be criminal since they have jobs already.

I think to fully explore this we would need to address given variables because with this sentence I think it could be both true and false. If it were a Socialist nation in:

A) A Socialist world and was apart of a world-wide Socialist federation and the revolution had spread the whole world over, you're right, they wouldn't have the incentive to do so.

B) A non-Socialist world and was only part of perhaps a bloc of Socialist states then there could be perhaps some whom would try to create some sort of black market or some such thing. Criminals didn't totally disappear in the USSR or other states in the Socialist bloc.

I also would wonder about specific psychological issues. One may not want to become a criminal but what if said person had kleptomania? For example.


You can't fix a serial killer by having them dig ditches.

No, perhaps not but part of the problem with cases like this is that they psychologically feel/are alienated from the rest of society. If we were to try to reform them the goal should be (along with intense/rigorous therapy) to slowly integrate them back into general society. I think requiring them to do labor would be a good way of doing this in addition to other therapeutic techniques and programs. We, as in the rest of society, are required to do work, we are required to contribute and in Socialism contribute to the greater whole, why would these criminals whom we are trying to rehabilitate be exempt from this? I think overall it could possibly be beneficial both for the state and for the persons in question to require them to do labor.


If anything they will be more confused, they need psychological help.

I don't think required labor would necessarily imply that the inmates would also not being getting the psychological help and therapy they need. The sole point of 'prison' in a Socialist society should be reeducation, reform and rehabilitation; not mindless punishment or insane work like in the movie Bent where they had to continuously move rocks from one point to the other and then back again.


however i don't see the point of punishing actual counter revolutionaries

Actual counter-revolutionaries should be shot, full stop and that is a whole different situation which I feel should be seperated from the question of required labor of criminals. I think it would be completely naive to assume that we could give capitalists, reactionaries/counter-revolutionaries the choice of whether or not they wish to participate in our little society and could possibly invite sabotage and so on.

[Thirsty Crow]

Yes, forced labour is completely anthitetical to the communist project. Be it under established global socialism/communism, or during the period of transition.
There's no other way to say it: people who advocate such an organization of labour are reactionary.

[Kamos]

Yes, forced labour is completely anthitetical to the communist project. Be it under established global socialism/communism, or during the period of transition.
There's no other way to say it: people who advocate such an organization of labour are reactionary.

In that case, a tired old reactionary would like to ask you what you would do with criminals in socialism and why it would be better than forced labour.

[Rss]

In that case, a tired old reactionary would like to ask you what you would do with criminals in socialism and why it would be better than forced labour.

Stalimaohoxhaist-authoritarianists are big old meanie-pants meanies for bringing corrective labor and societal rehab together, didn't you get the note?

[Kamos]

Stalimaohoxhaist-authoritarianists are big old meanie-pants meanies for bringing corrective labor and societal rehab together, didn't you get the note?

That I certainly do - and still, I decided to accept the challenge and try to reasonably discuss the issue. Though judging from the "you are all reactionaries" troll line, this was probably a wasted effort.

[#FF0000]

That I certainly do - and still, I decided to accept the challenge and try to reasonably discuss the issue. Though judging from the "you are all reactionaries" troll line, this was probably a wasted effort.

shut up

anyway yeah, like I said, restorative justice and all that. I mean, I don't mind "punitive labor" in the form of an option for some kind of community service, or giving people who are separated from society the ability to learn some kind of skill or trade.

But yeah I'm just not capable of the logical gymnastics it would take to go ahead and say chain-gangs and breaking rocks with a ball and chain around the ankle is acceptable when my aim is to abolish alienated labor.

[runequester]

shut up

anyway yeah, like I said, restorative justice and all that. I mean, I don't mind "punitive labor" in the form of an option for some kind of community service, or giving people who are separated from society the ability to learn some kind of skill or trade.

But yeah I'm just not capable of the logical gymnastics it would take to go ahead and say chain-gangs and breaking rocks with a ball and chain around the ankle is acceptable when my aim is to abolish alienated labor.

It's a good thing that this isn't what is being advocated in this thread then huh?

[#FF0000]

It's a good thing that this isn't what is being advocated in this thread then huh?

I guess y'all should make more of an effort of clearly stating what exactly it is you're proposing beyond the really, really vague term "forced labor".

I mean you guys are really funny with your jokes and caricatures and all that, but, you know, just a thought.

[Jose Gracchus]

What do we mean by 'forced'? All people able to perform an equitable and suitable portion of socially necessary labor will be obliged to under the transition to socialism. It seems hardly rational to offer a loophole to escape from one's social obligations by committing offenses against society and people.

The real question being asked is whether we will have GULAGs or not. Of course not. I think those who must be confined must be obliged to work under some kind of system, but provided rehabilitative services, real opportunities to improve oneself, and should earn remuneration from the social obligation of labor they perform while under a system of relative supervision and confinement. They should also have some capacity for control or creative input into their labor obligations. Corrections in the transition to socialism are just as much a school of socialism for backward elements as it is a means of maintaining some basic social order. These people need have a path to being fully integrated into the free, creative, and participative, association of labor. Basically, work programs combined with Scandinavian prison conditions, and measures for developing communist relations and labor norms among the confined.

[RadioRaheem84]

Instead of citing the gulag, why don't we cite forced labor happening in the US instead. It shows how there is forced labor of the prison population, private employers capitalizing on the free labor of prisoners in a democratic society.

This is something socialists should fight and not allow in a socialist nation.

[runequester]

I guess y'all should make more of an effort of clearly stating what exactly it is you're proposing beyond the really, really vague term "forced labor".

I mean you guys are really funny with your jokes and caricatures and all that, but, you know, just a thought.

Posts 13 and 17 back on page 1 my friend. "forced labour" was the wording of the original poster.

As a general question to the thread: "from each according to ability" or "from each according to ability unless you kill your wife" ?

[Dzerzhinsky's Ghost]

I guess y'all should make more of an effort of clearly stating what exactly it is you're proposing beyond the really, really vague term "forced labor".

That (as another member pointed out) was the chosen term of the OP. I don't think anyone here is necessarily advocating "forced labor," per se more what I have been saying is required labor as in required labor by inmates as part of their rehabilitation and or reeducation program(s). This can include learning a desired trade/skill like for example wielding. Initially the first class of inmates can learn how to wield and all the necessary information to be proficient in said trade. Later they could be selected (if they have demonstrated their proficiency) to do a government or 'prison' selected job such as workers in society do under the careful supervision and monitoring of guards and others involved.

Something of that nature. Or there could there could be a starter program in which inmates who wish to be eligible for such trade/skill programs would first have to do other jobs such as clearing highways, digging ditches or other 'community service' tasks. This would a good lesson in setting goals, learning routines and other such things.

As a general question to the thread: "from each according to ability" or "from each according to ability unless you kill your wife" ?

I think the former quote would apply to those whom contribute to society and I think it would and should be different if they have alienated themselves from society given their demonstrated actions, behavior and crimes such as killing and raping 3 children. This isn't to say that inmates couldn't be compensated for their work and earn certain privelages or be able to cash in 'prison bucks' at the prison store for such things as soda pop, snacks and other such things.

But this also could be problematic as in modern prison systems this leads some to fall prey to others and be exploited by more ruthless inmates or becomes currency or trade for contraband or prison 'politics'. I'm not entirely sure what others here are getting at by throwing that quote up within this context we're talking about people whom are seperated from the general whole for specific reasons it seem like this would be a special and seperate thing all together.

[Kamos]

shut up

no u


I guess y'all should make more of an effort of clearly stating what exactly it is you're proposing beyond the really, really vague term "forced labor".

I mean you guys are really funny with your jokes and caricatures and all that, but, you know, just a thought.

It's 100% clear what's being proposed here. Do you ever read anything or do you just come here to piss people off?

[Dunk]

In a world where free association exists, how would slave labor exist? For whom would you be extracting a massive surplus for? The single class of producers who already have the productive forces of the world at their command?

Or maybe the suggestion is that hypothetical anti-socials should be punished rather than treated, and punished with doing useless labor? Like pouring a giant concrete block, only to break down the concrete into smaller and smaller blocks, until it's dust, and then to mix it all back up into cement and do it all over again?

Crap, all crap. Abolish prisons, wage slavery, and chattel slavery.

[#FF0000]

It's 100% clear what's being proposed here. Do you ever read anything or do you just come here to piss people off?

You might not want to use the term "force labor" for voluntary community service and job training, then.

[Die Neue Zeit]

And we do what with counter-revolutionaries, rapists, child molesters?

Comrade, you and I stated our respective positions earlier. ;)


Instead of citing the gulag, why don't we cite forced labor happening in the US instead. It shows how there is forced labor of the prison population, private employers capitalizing on the free labor of prisoners in a democratic society.

This is something socialists should fight and not allow in a socialist nation.

All of us here, I'm pretty sure, are for the abolition of prison labour for the benefit of private parties. The GULAG is cited because of the basic assumption that there will be no private employers to leech off of the labour of the prison population.



BTW, a utilitarian evaluation that must be made with respect to the type of corrective labour being implemented is the weighting of the utility of deterrence against the historical backdrop of corrective labour not being economically "profitable."

[Die Rote Fahne]

What is a counter-revolutionary?

Anyway, restorative justice is the way to go, and any justice system should focus on rehabilitation if possible and separation/incapacitation if necessary. Sorry but retribution and deterrence just don't work and aren't really sound bases for a "justice system".
A counter-revolutionary is someone who works actively to stop or overturn the revolution. As the whites in Russia, or the Fascists in Spain, or those who fought the German uprising. They are reactionaries.

Yes, I totally agree that rehabilitation needs to be the focus, I have said nothing that counters that. However, to suggest that incarceration and separation be ruled out for everything, is absurd.

[Le Socialiste]

Certainly not. Forced labor is essentially that of slave labor (this has already been touched on by many here), and is largely incompatible with communist theory. We strive for an end to the alienation of labor and its division from the consciousness of the laborer. Forced labor should never be considered a form of rehabilitation. What's more, it can't be. You aren't going to rehabilitate a capitalist by playing on his or hers fears of labor camps and gulags (however irrational these fears may be). Our role is to explain our position to the best of our abilities, in the hopes that it may awaken the same revolutionary zeal many comrades carry. By establishing the basic essentials for discussion, we open the way for the communication of our ideas and platform. The transition towards the stateless, classless society will not be completed overnight, but it can't begin if we hold on to the worst products of the capitalist modes of thought. We must address what to do with those who conspire to suppress the will of workers' power, but not within the frameworks of bourgeois theories concerning the "criminal problem".

[Jose Gracchus]

Most people are dodging the real issues. There will be a transitional period to a socialist society ("the free association of the producers"). There will be strife, counterrevolutionary and declassed elements, those who violently resisted the working class' seizure of power, and continue to resist. Some measures will be adopted to disarm and deprive of certain liberties, those who oppose with action the transition to socialism. There will also be social labor obligations on all people who are capable of work. Clearly the 'imprisoned' will not be exempt. So how does one deal with this practical reality?

[brigadista]

cant believe people who call them selves socialists are even asking this question

[Die Neue Zeit]

^^^ That extreme line of thinking ("even asking this question") smacks of liberalism.


Most people are dodging the real issues. There will be a transitional period to a socialist society ("the free association of the producers"). There will be strife, counterrevolutionary and declassed elements, those who violently resisted the working class' seizure of power, and continue to resist. Some measures will be adopted to disarm and deprive of certain liberties, those who oppose with action the transition to socialism. There will also be social labor obligations on all people who are capable of work. Clearly the 'imprisoned' will not be exempt. So how does one deal with this practical reality?

Depends on the severity of the crime committed. My Post #58 was objective (qualitative deterrence vs. economic viability) in light of having read parts of Steve Barnes's Death and Redemption: The Gulag and the Shaping of Soviet Society.


I don't think required labor would necessarily imply that the inmates would also not being getting the psychological help and therapy they need. The sole point of 'prison' in a Socialist society should be reeducation, reform and rehabilitation; not mindless punishment or insane work like in the movie Bent where they had to continuously move rocks from one point to the other and then back again.

Actual counter-revolutionaries should be shot, full stop and that is a whole different situation which I feel should be separated from the question of required labor of criminals. I think it would be completely naive to assume that we could give capitalists, reactionaries/counter-revolutionaries the choice of whether or not they wish to participate in our little society and could possibly invite sabotage and so on.


A counter-revolutionary is someone who works actively to stop or overturn the revolution. As the whites in Russia, or the Fascists in Spain, or those who fought the German uprising. They are reactionaries.

Yes, I totally agree that rehabilitation needs to be the focus, I have said nothing that counters that. However, to suggest that incarceration and separation be ruled out for everything, is absurd.

Shooting counter-revolutionaries indiscriminately doesn't leave behind much of a deterrence effect.

In the words of Steve Barnes, there should be "penal institution[s] where [such particular] prisoners [are] given one final chance to reintegrate into [...] society. [Those] deemed “reeducated” through [albeit] brutal forced labor [can] leave. [Others] who “[fail]” never [get] out alive."

[citizen of industry]

Related to a period of transition. How about the prisons during or immediately following a revolution/seizure of power? How would you liberate a prison? Dismiss the guards/warden, make them prisoners? Release the prisoners? Separate the fascist prisoners from the others? - What would you do with them? What about serial killers, molesters, rapists and the like? Leave them in the prison? Send them to a medical/research facility? How about the prison itself? Fill it with POW's or political prisoners? Close it down? Leave it open? Use it for something else?

[brigadista]

Related to a period of transition. How about the prisons during or immediately following a revolution/seizure of power? How would you liberate a prison? Dismiss the guards/warden, make them prisoners? Release the prisoners? Separate the fascist prisoners from the others? - What would you do with them? What about serial killers, molesters, rapists and the like? Leave them in the prison? Send them to a medical/research facility? How about the prison itself? Fill it with POW's or political prisoners? Close it down? Leave it open? Use it for something else?

is this ^ "liberalism"? tag it onto my post:):)

[citizen of industry]

is this ^ "liberalism"? tag it onto my post:):)

Hypothetical question. I'm against the whole idea of forced labor. But various opinions apply.