v0.31:Jail

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v50.13 · v0.47 · v0.34 · v0.31.25 · v0.28 · v0.23 This article is about an older version of DF. More Info · V

A jail is a Template:L used by the Template:L system within your dwarven community, also known as a prison. They are designated from a constructed Template:L, by querying the restraint, designating it as a room, and then setting it to be used for justice.

As your dwarves break the law, your Template:L/Template:L, or any Template:L, will place them in one of the designated restraints. However, should they be unable to (no jail, jail is full, or if the crime is terrible enough, AND if you have one already...), the Template:L will come to give them a severe hammer beating, which will cause quite a Template:L.

Jail 101

Constructing a jail is simple. Build a few restraints, such as Template:Ls, Template:Ls, and Template:Ls. Designate them as jail cells. Ta-dah, you have a jail.

Unfortunately, being imprisoned tends to make dwarves unhappy... and unhappy dwarves throw Template:Ls, if they don't go outright Template:L or otherwise Template:L.

Keeping your prisoners secure

The first thing to consider is the type of restraint:

• Ropes, being made of Template:L fiber and therefore weaker than Template:L chains, can sometimes be broken by strong dwarves,^[Verify] thus letting them escape and wreak more havoc.
• Cages, strong as they are, don't permit the dwarf within to move around and make use of the surroundings. A caged dwarf, therefore, is forced to sleep on the bottom of the cage, has to be given Template:L and Template:L, and can't do anything besides wait for his prison term to end.

The best choice of restraint is therefore a good strong metal chain. A high-quality chain will also let the prisoner admire it, giving him a boost to his Template:L.

Give them something to look at

With the choice of restraint made, now we worry about the surroundings. A chained dwarf, like a chained Template:L, can move around in a 3x3 square centered on the chain. This allows him to use things in that space and look at items bordering it:

• A Template:L gives the dwarf a comfortable place to sleep.
• A small stockpile of good food, such as Template:L, lets the prisoner eat when he's hungry, instead of when your haulers are free to feed them, and lets you provide high-quality stuff instead of whatever random item the hauler grabs. You won't need barrels for this stockpile, so turn 'em off (q -> E).
• Likewise, a small stockpile of Template:L lets the prisoner drink that, instead of being forced to drink water. Make it at least two squares, or your haulers will tease prisoners with just an empty barrel.
• And, of course, a Template:L and Template:L give him a place to eat and drink. Bonus points if you designate a private Template:L and assign it to the prisoner.
• Building all this out of high-Template:L Template:L will let the prisoner admire it, gaining happiness every time.
• Template:L and Template:L the jail's surroundings will also give the prisoner something to look at.
• If you enclose the restraint in Template:Ls with a Template:L, setting the door(s) to internal will let the prisoner admire those too.
• A dwarf can admire it's own restraint, so try a high quality bone and jewel encrusted Template:L or Template:L chain.

Imprisoned Nobles

Eventually, save with the greatest of care and micromanagement, one or another of your Template:Ls will run afoul of the justice system, and be imprisoned. As with a regular dwarf, this means they will be unable to make use of their regular Template:Ls and other rooms. If it turns out to be your Template:L, for example, then you can build a chair within his reach and designate it as his office, and that will let him continue to work. Similarly, an Template:L or Template:L, if imprisoned by a chain, can hold meetings with your Template:L, and if you designate an office for him, might even be happy to do so.

Alternately...

You may decide that providing luxurious accommodations, jewel covered chains and fine dining to criminals while haulers sleep on the dining room floor does not meet your standards of dwarven justice. In such circumstances, chaining a dwarf atop a tower exposed to the elements will provide a useful lookout post. Dwarves chained in narrow hallways can also help detect ambushers, while those locked up in your dining hall make for excellent examples to the others. Should you desire to enforce capital punishment from time to time, place your prison chains inside small rooms with doors and a hole in the ceiling accessed by other dwarves. This will allow bucket-by-bucket water torture and drowning executions of any murderers or prisoners with elves in their preferences. Alternately, just lock them in a hideous dungeon to eat rats and drink from mud holes until a giant cave spider comes along and covers them in precious, precious silk.

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