Penal Reserve Labor System

The Penal Reserve Labor System, PRLS (Commonspeak: Pënal Rësarv Erbites Sistem, PRES) is a penal labor system developed by the Aerlan Ministry of Labor. Developed as a way to help depopulate the severely overcrowded prisons of the nation and reduce repeat offenders, the PRLS play vital roles in helping to build national infrastructure.

A PRLS laborer assists in repairing a railroad bridge along the Ancora River.

History

Overcrowding in Aerlan prisons has been a common problem ever since the Republic was founded in 1709 AN. Although the main goal for the prisons are to rehabilitate, not punish, repeat offenders filled these prisons. Although a series of prison reforms were passed under the Cassian presidency, these only had minimal effect on incarceration rates.

In response, Minister of Labor Ludwig von Heinzenbusch and Minister of Justice Leon Nash both endorsed the formation of the Penal Reserve Labor System. Repeat offenders (those who had been incarcerated more than twice) to be automatically enrolled into the system, with other offenders given the option to join the system to potentially have their sentences reduced.

Organization

The PRLS organizes groups of 100 inmates into so-called Erbitesbatalions (Work Battalions), with each battalion given certain tasks on a work project. All work battalions are overseen by a presiding officer. Each work battalion is held in special barracks onsite when they are not on shift.

The PRLS is overseen by one of von Heinzenbush’s men, State Security Directorate Sënorinspektar Fredrick Collerman.

Jobs

PRLS laborers are key workers in the construction of infrastructure projects. For example, much of the work constructing Aerla’s rail infrastructure has been done by PRLS laborers, who work alongside regular paid workers. More often than not, PRLS laborers are assigned more menial tasks, such as heavy lifting.

PRLS laborers are issued with a luminescent orange vest to distinguish themselves from normal workers. In accordance with labor laws, PRLS workers are paid at a rate of Ƒ5 an hour, 7 felt less than the standard minimum wage for free Aerlans.