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Introduction - Prelude
A brief explanation of the culture of Danubia before we start our story,
Danubia was formerly a republic before changes in government. The
country was split into two parts; Upper Danubia (where this story takes
place) and Lower Danubia. It is one of the smaller nation-states in
Eastern Europe.
The revolution that took over the government of Danubia closed down all
detention facilities within the country. A complete overhaul of the
judicial system led to the policy that no one would be detained for more
than twenty-four hours at a time for the commission of a crime. Those
accused of a crime have a speedy trial of the offense.
The new judicial system has implemented two forms of punishment that are
usually used together. Collaring is done with an electronic monitoring
neck collar, locked into place for the duration of the criminal's
sentence. The second aspect of criminal punishment is the corporal
nature of caning or whipping with a tawse. The criminal courts require
the criminal to be collared with a steel collar. This collar is attached
with a special device that permanently locks the collar in place. It can
only be removed by another device that destroys the locking mechanism.
If a criminal tries to remove the collar the police will be alerted and
the GPS will allow the police to track their last location. The collar
also emits a debilitating electric shock if the lock is tampered with.
Criminals are deprived of all clothing, during the full duration of
their sentence.
Strapping with a leather device called a tawse (a two - to
three - foot-long leather strap one and a half inches wide with the end
notched) is done upon the bare buttocks and thighs of the criminal. The
usual adult sentence consists of fifty lashes upon sentencing, issued
every three months throughout the sentence.
The officer administering the blows must take care to raise welts
visible to the witnessing judge to ensure that the skin is not broken.
To do so would cause the officer to lose their job. Lesser switching
punishments are administered for children and certain infractions within
schools and institutions, not of a criminal nature.
To see a naked criminal collared and going about their life within
Danubian society is not a rarity. Criminals must have work that keeps
them in public view, so delivery men, waitstaff, and store clerks are
acceptable jobs. Unlike in other countries where the criminals work
within the grounds of the detention facility. As there are no prisons,
criminals usually live with their families and under the supervision of
the courts.
Nudity practiced by the average citizen is also not uncommon in Danubian
society. All physical education and health club activity is done nude by
all citizens. Soon after the revolution, one of the first laws passed
forbade the wearing of all swimwear. As a result of this law all
swimwear was returned to the manufacturer; making swimwear unavailable
anywhere within the country.
Lastly, in the Danubian religion, there is a provision for a rite called
Public Penance. A penitent goes before the priest and confesses a sin in
life that needs correction and then voluntarily surrenders the right to
wear clothing for some time until the priest and penitent agree the
penitent has atoned for the sin. A person may also become a penitent in
support of a family member, as a show of family honor.
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Chapter 3: At The Dinner Table and Afterward
Chapter 4: Getting Into the Swim of Things
Chapter 5: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Chapter 8: The Gift for The Siminov Family
Chapter 9: Servant of the Ancients and the Creator
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