Crime and Punishment in the Empire of Canada
The Empire of Canada is known for its many harsh punishments, to those who study criminology or compare it to other nations. While it is true that many of the more extreme cases of Punishments of criminals can be considered very harsh, this is due to the incredibly stringent nature of courts resulting in very few, if any, mistrials that do not get successfully appealed. As such, it is almost unheard of for non-guilty to be punished- and as of yet, no non-guilty person has been killed as a result of their punishments. While many of these punishments are brutal, almost the entire nation believes they are required and thus the Empire supports and continues to uphold its rules around this.
In addition to the level system below, fines and conventional prison times are used, however the severity of these can be incredibly wide ranging, and thus are too complex to be discussed here. Usually, they are on up to a judges discretion.
The Level System
Once guilty, sentencing becomes a very complex matter in the Empire. These are determined by the three layers of crime- From least, to most severe. Once a level has been determined, the actual punishment may be selected in a manner that is fitting according to the judge. They are also given flexibility to mix and combine punishments, to fit the nature of the crime committed.
Level 1
The first level is for petty crimes, and as such the punishments are quite light and rehabilitation is a part of the criminals process and future. This is done through demerit points, in order to prevent people from constantly committing level 1 crimes- do it enough, or get enough points, and level 2, or harsher level 1 punishments will be considered in the future. The options available are as followed (in no particular order):
Gating: This is a very light form of house arrest- they are typically given to a farm, factory, or elsewhere run by the Empire, and so long as they do their required work (as determined by managers, and is not an unreasonable amount), and they do not leave their established place of work (and home, as these are usually together), the prisoner is left in peace to learn a new skill and become rehabilitated.
Tawse: The first introduction of most entry-level criminals to corperal punishment, it consists of an entry- level executioner striking the victim with a leather strap on the palms of their hands, between 16 and 36 times (as determined, usually, by the criminals attitude and behavior in the court).
Writing of Lines: another rather minor punishment, it is typically used when the crime was incredibly minor, or as a way to make those who are technically guilty, but morally did nothing wrong, be 'punished'. This is thus typically used in self-defense cases, and is a formality, often not being used.
The Sackcloth: typically a punishment for minor crimes or infringements that will not result in a long time in prison, the replacement of a uniform with rough sackcloth is considered a punishment for those who show no humility, and is often kept on until the criminal acknowledges their wrongs or has served their sentence.
Paedagogus: Given to those who commit minor crimes, but are knowledgable about certain topics, these are sent to the Ministry of Education as indentured teachers- there, they must teach courses in order to fill out their contracts, and be considered rehabilitated. This is typically done for those who are knowledgeable about many fields, and work in everything from high schools to universities, or as private tutors- they are hired directly through the ministry.
The New Soldier: Given to those who are not-fit for Paedagogus work but are otherwise completed their conscripted training, and being ineligible for the other forms of crime, these men are handed over to the Second Legion, wherein they are put into a company of men as soldiers. There, they must work as bodyguards, border guards, and soldiers, without pay- they are technically prisoners, who cannot marry or legally buy anything for themselves, until their term is over. These are considered an excellent alternative to the other military prison options, as these receive quality training and are used well.
Relegatio: Done to those who have committed manslaughter, it is the lightest form of exile available. In it, the criminal is sent out of the Empire, city, or province (depending on the judge), for an amount of time determined by the judge. However, they do not lose any citizenship or any property, keeping those instead. These are also used on those who mistreat prostitutes, from the business itself to the customers.
Petalism: Done once a year, in which all the citizens of the nation hold a vote for any citizen they do not wish to remain. Whoever received the most votes was removed from the nation in exile for 5 years- they were permitted the same rights as Relegatio. Thus, this was used primarily as a tool to keep the masses happy, often with the person being allowed to return.
Ostracism: A much rarer punishment, this is done only rarely. Every year, a referendum is held in which it is determined if an ostracism is to be held. If it is, members may vote for an individual who is been considered treasonous. A person requires 6 million votes in order to be removed. If so, they have 10 days before they will be arrested. They are exiled for 10 years from the entire Empire, and the penalty to return was death, in that 10 years. However, they retain the right to Relegatio.
Disenfranchisement: Usually tacked onto a larger sentence, this punishment is used when their is a financial, phsycological, or political issue with the criminal. If this is determined to be the case, the criminal then will lose the right to vote. All other criminals may continue to vote.
Boot Camp: Run by many government agencies, as an alternative to a short prison sentence, a criminal may be sent to a boot camp to perform manual labour for rehabilitation. This is especially good at producing skilled tradesmen, and members who graduate boot camp are well regarded in the nations technology and industrial sectors.
Parading on Donkey: This was done in two forms- the first, when a prisoner is transported to a place of public punishment, as a form of humiliation. However, it is also the punishment itself for the crimes of incest, minor theft, forgery, assaulting a police officer, or disobeying military or pandemic laws. The victims had their head shaved and were humiliated through the streets.
Level 2
The vast majority of crimes fall under this category. From theft that was above petty, to most political and financial crimes, assault, all the way up to murders, can be considered under this category. Thus, it is the most often used, although it is in no way rehabilitative- your crime has been considered too severe for such things.
Asset Seizure and Confiscation: Technically two punishments, although these are usually considered very similar, is typically an addition to a sentence wherein the criminals assets, property, or anything they own may be taken by the government. These are then either kept as government property (often the case with businesses, aircraft, or watercraft), with the rest being auctioned off to help fund the government itself.
Batog: A punishment given to those considered party to treason, but not the primary agents of it, it consists of a pair of entry-level executioners sitting on the victim and striking their back until they are ordered to stop. This is not considered a death penalty, and is often looked at as a warning to those who know of treason but to not report it.
Birching: essentially, a set number of times being struck with a cat o'nine tails, this punishment is typically carried out in public or semi-private, or can be in prisons for women given this. It is the punishment of choice for theft above petty levels.
The Chain Gang: a rare option for rehabilitation of a more serious crime, these consist of rows of prisoners with this punishment being chained together and made to work, often on farms, engineering sites, or on the prison itself. These can be varied from highly secure chains with many guards doing hard manual labour, to having no chains and doing light work. The goal of these is to allow the prisoner to gain skills once their sentence on the chaingang is over, and to earn themselves some cash for upon their release, as they are paid for their work. Thus, many lawyers attempt to get this punishment for their clients.
Villeiny: the prisoner is loaned out from the prison, to a private landowner, where they move onto the land of this owner and are legally required to work for him. He is not permitted to leave the landowners property without his permission, or unless the Bureau of Prisons ends his contract. They are given their own land to work on, however must pay the landowner a share of any money they make. The Villein also had to pay to the government additional taxes, in addition to the ones all citizens must pay. These include an insurance to avoid corporal punishment, and a fine if they produce a child while unmarried. This was also considered a decent punishment, as the individuals could own their own land and eat off of his labour, although he could not leave or do much without the landowners permission. Once their sentence was over, this gave the ex-villein many good skills.
Indentured Civil Servants: Either a civil servant (male), or Ancillae (female), the indentured civil servants are loaned out from a prison to families, who keep them as indentured workers in the house. These are paid, and are kept in the household by the family, in a form of house arrest. Some of these are also permitted to work in some businesses, such as ushers, or secretaries, while also working in their families home. Once their sentence is over, these become free and often work as butlers.
Indentured labour: This sentence consisted of the criminal being loaned out to a business to work during the day, for a fixed payment and hours of work. However, unlike the other options here, they are returned to the prison between shifts. This work can be done for private individuals or companies, or to other government institutions, such as in the roles of cleaners, clerks, or construction workers.
Penal Legion: Fitting for those in government roles, entry to a penal legion was never pleasant. In it, they are sent to a special military prison, wherein prisoners are trained in military affairs, in peacetime are used for construction, and in wartime, are used for undesirable things such as assaulting fortifications first, clearing minefields, or otherwise being fodder. There are some units who take and train people out of the legions, and these can lead to considerable advancement, but these are rare. Some are also hired in naval service, as cleaners, personal servants, and moving ammunition and stores around. All of these are treated poorly, with barely edible diets.
Condemnation to the Mines: This is similar to indentured labour, however the criminal specifically is sent to work in the mines all over the Empire. This is technically considered tougher then standard indentured labour, as working in the mines is considered particularly difficult and dangerous.
Water Carrying: Not only required to carry water to houses (as plumbing exists), this job is a daytime job done by prisoners who assist the elderly or sick in their homes, doing housework for those who otherwise cannot do it. This is done only rarely, as allowing criminals into the homes of the elderly is not something that is done lightly. At night, or when not working, the criminal will remain in prison.
Standing Cells: For particularly harsh or negligent behavior, such as drunk driving which results in harm to other people. It consists of a very small prison cell, wherein it is too small to stand up but too small to lay down. This is typically done in 4 day increments, and is very painful for prisoners.
Shimanagashi: This is done for those who are some of the worst of the level 2 crimes. In it, a prisoner is sent to an abandoned island all alone, where they are ensured to not escape but are otherwise left alone to fend for themselves.
Imperial Ban: For those who commit crimes that result in severe pain or death in others, the Imperial Ban is usually the route taken. It is a legal action, wherein the criminal is considered legally dead. They thus lose all rights, citizenship, and possessions, which go to the state. Legally, anyone can do any crimes to a person who has been banned without consequence. These could be appealed to the Emperor himself- however, if he declared the ban just, then an appeal cannot be had and that person is Banned indefinitely.
Level 3
Level three is reserved for the worst crimes- murder, terrorism, or worse. They are very rarely handed out, and are incredibly brutal. As such, only the most expert executioners are allowed to provide the service in question.
To be worthy of Death: Typically given to those who commit crimes against others based on religion, such as hate-motivated murders. It consists of an executioner whipping a victim 200 times, considered to be close to a death penalty, although it is not one.
Stoning: This fate is reserved for those who commit very brutal sexual crimes, or crimes against members of their own family. In this, they are stoned until death by a machine that launches the stones, or, optionally, by the victim and their families.
Cropping: Done to those who have commited grand theft, or other massive amounts of robbery, this punishment involves the chopping off of the criminals ears. This makes wearing glasses somewhat difficult.
Ishikozume: This is one of the rarest forms of punishment, given to those who are party to especially violent criminal groups or plots, as well as smugglers and those who take advantage of nature. It consists of a stoning (as above), although they are first buried into the ground from the waist.
Castration: Rather simple enough to understand, this is done for all those who are guilty of Rape or other sexual assaults.
Whipping boy: Used on youth who cannot be legally killed, despite being found guilty, they are instead taken and serve as punishment before other youth in order to help disuade them from a life of crime. Typically, these are given good care and only serve a year.
Blinding: The punishment for arsonists who, in the process of burning a property, kill someone, is to be blinded.
The Breaking Wheel: To be executed on the breaking wheel means one is responsible for a deliberate murder, or for arsonists who have not yet caught someone.
Crucifixion: Rarely done, due to the religious symbolism, particularly gruesome or violent murders (especially out of the blue) may result in crucifixion. These, when done, can be put in cities or near highways, as a way to dissuade others.
Beheading: When a criminal has been deemed guilty, yet has served honourably in society, in a government positin, or as a soldier, they are executed by beheading by axe (for civilians), or sword (for the military). This is considered an honour to be chosen for, although the connotations of being a criminal murky this concept.
Flaying alive: When pirates are captured, and are found to have committed an act of violence in the past, they are flayed.
Gibetting: For traitors who are found guilty, the Gibbet is the only option. This is often done in a public place, and they are left to die. Only once the body threatens to fall out of the cage are they removed, and buried in a prison cemetery.
Sapphism: The final, and most brutal, punishment ever possible. This is done in exceptional cases- of pedophiles, child molesters, particularly evil sexual crimes, terrorism, or mass murder. This is done in a lake in northern Ontario, in the summer, where the amount of flies is incredible. As such, this is reserved for only the worst of criminals.
And that, friends, is all about the punishments of the Empire of Canadas legal system. I will work on creating more Empire things and connecting them.