What to do with the first criminal?

The point has been made, and I agree with it -- With square footage
at a premium for supporting life, scientific experimentation, etc --
no habitat designer will want to waste space with a brig that will
seldom see use.

I think the actual solution would be dependent upon the
environment? Is the exterior environment hostile? Is water readily
available?

Presumably, early habitats will be manned by "the best and
brightest" -- will they feel obligated to conform to terrestrial
judiciary protocols?

If I were out there and in charge, and someone under my command or
jurisdiction committed a minor crime, I'd put them on half or
quarter-rations for a number of days appropriate to the crime. Take
away most of a man's food and water for a couple of weeks, and he
will think twice next time. Of course -- the argument could be made
that he'd just steal someone else's. To which I say: In space, or
other hostile environment, stealing water is a capital crime.

The loss of sustenance, or privilege, or rank. Extra duty, longer
shifts -- there are a number of ways to penalize individuals without
incarceration. A lot of the cultural problems that exist here on
good o' Terra are *because* we are an 'incaceration society',
instead of a 'rehabilitation society'.

Sean

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, omar vega wrote: