P’rson Industries Neurological Criminal Handler (PINCH)

codextransportica0059.jpg

With all eyes turned to the seemingly everlasting war just beyond our borders, criminality was briefly rampant on the Home Front. Low-key criminals such as black marketeers were tacitly tolerated due to their ability to source and provide items difficult to obtain under the straightened circumstances of a country at war. But ardent law-breakers were treated harshly at the time, as part of the governments desperate attempts to keep domestic order during the conflict.

With so few able-bodied staff available to police, technology was once again brought into the fray to help alleviate man-power shortages where possible.

One such example is shown here: the PINCH, used to move prisoners between jail and court. The prisoner is completely immobilised, yet easily transferred from the vehicle to other holding areas or containment devices by simply lifting their ‘safety-sack’ from the hook (you’ll already be aware of the phrase to get “the sack”, meaning: a person recently convicted).

Note the neuro-implant. This was an essential part of the conveyance’s design. Any attempt to remove the prisoner from the transport device without proper authorisation would trigger a massive electrical surge into the prisoner’s brain. This implant was configurable and its effects could run the whole gamut from mild discomfort through unbearable agony, insanity (temporary of permanent) and finally, death. The device’s reputation preceded it and there are several well-documented examples of criminals who, when faced with rescue, pleaded with their saviours to leave them well alone rather than face the risk of the neural implant being activated.

Further deterrent effect of this mode of transportation was of course the public humiliation of being seen in the streets swinging helplessly from the “crook hook” and more than one newspaper would publish a daily schedule of prisoners due to take the Guilt Trip as it became known.

Later refinements of the device and the neural implants enabled prisoners to be put to the use serving society. Unable to be moved once their location was locked by the implant computer, the prisoners were used effectively as slave labour wherever possible.

Ironically, prisoners were even used as night watchmen to help prevent further crime. Expendable and cheap, these poor souls were often suspended under street lights in high-crime areas. Helpless and at considerable risk to their own life and limb, they tended to keep extremely diligent lookout in a desperate attempt to keep themselves from harm.

Comments are closed.