Humanist Institute of Thought Reform
The Humanist Institute of Thought Reform (HITR), located in the bailiwick of Loupville in the city of Merensk, is the site of a revolutionary programme that aims to rehabilitate prisoners from the Benacian Labour Reserve and prepare them for a successful reintegration into society. The HITR program is based on the educational principles of the Humanist Institutes, which focus on fostering critical thinking, personal responsibility, and ethical behaviour.
The Benacian Labour Reserve had been criticised for its alleged inhumane conditions and lack of a developed rehabilitation programmes except for the old credo of "redemption through labour". However, thanks to the HITR programme, those conscripts of the Benacian Labour Reserve who reached the end of their sentence now had the opportunity to turn their lives around and become productive members of the flourishing Harmonious Society.
HITR site
The HITR was initially purchased as a functional and utilitarian complex to house and rehabilitate the returning BLR conscripts. However the site underwent a dramatic transformation, with the addition of Chrysean facades and Babkhan landscaped gardens, creating a serene and peaceful environment for the conscripts to begin their journey of rehabilitation and reintegration.
The main building of the HITR is a grand, three-story structure, with a white marble façade and elegant columned porticos. The interior of the building was adorned with frescoes and sculptures, depicting scenes of learning and enlightenment. The classrooms and lecture halls were remodelled in order to be spacious and well-lit, providing the conscripts with an ideal environment for study and reflection.
The grounds of the HITR were a true oasis in the heart of the Loupville urban bailiwick. The Babkhan gardens, with their intricate geometric patterns and colourful flowers, proved to be a source of inspiration and tranquillity for the conscripts. The gardens are also home to a variety of fountains, reflecting pools and statues, each one representing a different aspect of humanist thought. The gardens are also home to a variety of small animals and birds, providing a sense of connection with nature for the conscripts.
One of the most striking features of the HITR is the grand central courtyard. This open space is surrounded by the main building and the gardens, creating a sense of unity and connection between the different elements of the complex. The courtyard is also home to a large marble fountain, depicting a scene of humanist enlightenment, surrounded by benches and seating, providing a perfect place for the conscripts to relax and reflect.
In addition to the main building and grounds, the HITR also includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a library, and a variety of workshops and vocational training facilities. The conscripts are encouraged to participate in a variety of educational and vocational programs, designed to help them acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the outside world.
The HITR was truly a unique and innovative institution, dedicated to the rehabilitation and reintegration of the BLR conscripts. Its combination of sympathetic architecture, soothing gardens and humanist principles created a serene and peaceful environment, the perfect setting for the conscripts to begin their journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
HITR programme
The HITR programme was designed to address the root causes of criminal and antisocial behaviour, rather than simply punishing offenders. Through a combination of group therapy, individual counselling, and educational classes, inmates are able to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the impact of their actions on others. They learn to take responsibility for their past mistakes and to develop the skills and values necessary for a successful future.
One of the key components of the HITR programme is its focus on conditioned social harmonisation. Inmates are encouraged to question their beliefs and assumptions, and to challenge their reasons for defying the divinely mandated status quo. They learn to think and to make decisions that accord with the values of the Harmonious Society and the Human Supremacy. Through this process, they develop the ability to resist the negative influences and temptations of asocial individuation that may have led them to a life of crime and heresy.
In addition to conditioned social harmonisation, the HITR program also emphasised the importance of personal responsibility and ethical behaviour. Inmates learn to accept the consequences of their actions and to make amends for the harm they have caused. They are also taught the importance of honesty, integrity, and obedience in all aspects of their lives. Through these lessons, they gain the moral compass they need to navigate the challenges of life as bondsmen of the municipal corporation in their designated bailiwick.
The HITR programme, inaugurated in 1715 AN, produced remarkable results within a relatively short period of time. Paroled BLR conscripts who had completed the programme were noted to have a significantly lower recidivism rate than those who had not. They were also more likely to be accepted into guild service, accruing merit thereby, and to maintain stable relationships upon their return. They were also more likely to remain meritorious subjects and to contribute positively to society without being referred to the Cull Commission within their first year.
Conditioned social harmonisation
The most crucial part of the rehabilitation process - conditioned social harmonisation - is facilitated through the therapeutic use of "ainavie" and group-led collective self-criticism.
Ainaive is an advanced form of mental training pioneered by Humanist Institutes within the Benacian Union. This programme combines physical and psychological components to enhance the overall well-being and development of the subjects. The process, in its developed form, included breath exercises, meditation, posture adjustment, and galvanic skin response to tap into the unconscious mind and measure progress.
As part of the Ainaive programme, subjects receive nutritional supplementation to encourage the brain to enter an uncritically relaxed, happy state and undertake muscle exercises to locate and eliminate tension. Subjects also participated in advanced portions of the ainaive programme where they take psychoactive drugs under the guidance of their custodian supervisors, overseen by the institute's behavioural therapist. Dosages are administered not to achieve a permanent chemically-altered state of mind, but rather to provide changes and insights that remain after the effects have worn off.
The ultimate goal of the ainaive programme was to help subjects develop a deeper understanding of the Humanist philosophy, and to be able to apply this understanding in their everyday lives. Subjects were evaluated on their progress throughout the programme, with a focus on calmness, contentment, problem-solving abilities, and acceptance of Humanist societal and political messaging from the institute's political education officer with equanimity and acceptance.
In addition to the ainaive programme, the HITR also utilised sessions of group-led collective self-criticism. These sessions are designed to challenge and confront the conscripts with their past actions and beliefs, encouraging them to re-evaluate and reject any harmful or non-Humanist ideologies they may have held prior to their conscription into the BLR in lieu of punishment. This process is intended to aid the conscripts in their journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society as productive and contributing members of the Benacian Union.
The sessions are led by custodians and supervised by the institute's behavioural therapist, who guide the conscripts through a process of self-reflection and introspection. This included group discussions and one-on-one meetings where the conscripts challenged to confront any instances of resistance to thought reform that the individual may have selfishly manifested in the midst of the environment dedicated to holistic group rehabilitation. It is a maxim of the institute that if an individual fails then the whole group fails. It is therefore beneficial for every member of the cohort undergoing positive adjustment to collaborate and to assist one-another in the process, notifying authorities of any individual acts of defiance or deviance in order to avert the negative consequences of a collective sanction.
The HITR also employed a range of additional therapeutic techniques such as art therapy, drama therapy and recreational activities to further aid the conscripts in their rehabilitation process. The art therapy sessions provide an outlet for the conscripts to express themselves and explore their emotions, whilst drama therapy allows them to develop communication and social skills. These activities are designed to promote self-awareness and self-expression, encouraging the conscripts to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their actions. Most importantly, by learning to repeat the motifs signifying key points of Humanist doctrine, the subjects have been encouraged to successfully integrate these beliefs into their own ways of knowing and understanding the world.
Research work
During 1730 AN – 1733 AN the institute would begin participation in a series of clinical trials, overseen by the Benacian Academy, investigating the impact that prolonged significant exposure to the newly developed drug Lyserium, that was being investigated for its potential use in conditioned social harmonisation therapy.
Volunteers were selected by the academicians of the observation team so as to ensure as diverse a range of human test subjects as was practicable.
Subjects who were observed to experience significant, indeed mortal, adverse reactions, were transferred into the custody of the Benacian Academy's observation team and removed to the Antechamber of the Anatomists in Chryse for further study.
