A mixed-gender prison

Ellie had found some information on Principalia's prisons that felt like good place to start. She was reviewing it on the cab ride to the penitentiary.

Principalia's prisons, for the most part, worked like most nations in the world. Men and women went to separate prisons, and did their time for a standard range of crimes.

However, Principalia, unlike other nations, had managed to limit overcrowding in some prisons. Women, guilty of a crime, could do their time in a standard womens prison, or they could agree to a slavery contract in a mixed gender prison, for a fraction of the time. In part, because of this policy, court cases were incredibly quick. Most criminal cases were resolved in a day or two.

This seemed suspicious to Ellie, so she got in contact with the Principalia department of corrections, expecting to only get to ask a few questions. However, they offered her a tour, which she quickly accepted before they could change their mind.

This is why she found herself outside a prison gate this morning. She had been told she would spend some time outside, so she had dressed in a light colored tank top, electing to forego a bra to limit sweating, and tan coloured pants. Her hair was done today, cascading down her back to just below her shoulders, and she wore light makeup. Presentable, but functional in the Mediterranean sun.

A guard met her outside, checking her passport against his visitor list, and wordlessly showed her inside to what appeared to be a conference room. A man in a grey suit soon joined her carrying a manila folder, introducing himself as the warden. Ellie started to ask a question, but with a gesture, he interrupted her.

"Ms. Rossdale," The warden said with an accent she couldn't place, "I will be happy to answer any questions you have, but our time together will be more productive if you ask them as we go on our tour. I am happy to take you to any part of the prison, but before we go, there are two rules you must follow. The first is that you must not wander on your own, these are dangerous criminals, and this is the only way to ensure your safety."

Ellie nodded. This was reasonable. "And the second?" She asked.

"The second is that I must tell you that it is a felony to assist a prisoner in any way. I must tell you this because our approach to justice is different than that in America, and you may be compelled to intervene, but doing so is an offence that carries a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison."

He removed a document from the folder he carried. "Please sign here to acknowledge you understand the rules."

Ellie skimmed the document, it was a standard waiver, with the two conditions the warden had read her. Certain that there were no tricks or loopholes, she signed her name.

"Very good," the warden said as he took the form. "Let us begin. Where would you like us to take you?"