CHAPTER –59- The Criminal Justice System

There was no capital punishment. The entire justice system was
dedicated to criminal reform and behavior modification. In most cases the
punishment fit the crime. Community Service rather than Incarceration was the
customary penalty for violations of the Criminal Code. Probation was the
custom. The worst violators, the absolute Incorrigibles were sedated, put on a
shuttle and dropped off at some remote location thousands of miles from the
United States. When they awoke they had no idea where on Earth they were.
They were told that if they ever showed up in the United States again they
would be put on Moon Base. There had been a special section of Moon Base
walled off . Tasteless food powder and running water but only one gallon per
day would be provided, inmates would have an air mattress, a blanket and a
toilet but nothing else. No one had ever sent to Moon Base. Most convicted
criminals just did their public service, followed the advise of their counselor and
their probation officer. They attended the mandatory classes and tried to put
the matter behind them. If they had been unskilled they were taught a
marketable skill and placed in a paying job where they could apply that skill.
The Government ran trade schools that taught useful skills to all
unskilled workers that wanted to better themselves. No one needed to live in
substandard housing. Everyone was entitled to a Government job that paid the
minimum wage. Even people who were pertinently confined to bed had the job
of lying in bed and received the minimum wage. If anyone ever refused to do
any work at all they were removed to Catalina Island where they were provided
with tasteless powdered food they could remain there until they notified
authorities by phone that they were seeking employment.