Discussion Forum: Barless Prisons

Ever since the first true nanomedicine product came on the market, a caged cancer drug that releases once bound to the cancer cell, researchers have been working towards utilizing these technologies for control purposes. This week it was announced that NanoCage, in collaboration with United Penitentiary Systems, have developed the first barless prison. Upon entry, inmates are injected with a cocktail of caged drugs that have a variety of effects when released via radio control. The base technology utilizes focused radio waves to target deep tissue tumors in places such as the abdominal cavity.

The basis for security is a net of radio transmitters that surrounds the facility. As a prisoner crosses the perimeter threshold, the radio signals will cause the release of one type of caged drug. For instance, if the prisoner crosses an inner ‘warning’ perimeter, a drug will be released that causes extreme vertigo and mild nausea. If the prisoner continues, the next perimeter will signal the release of incapacitating sedatives, and if the next signal is reached it will trigger a fatal dose of narcotics. These perimeters are spaced far apart enough to prevent unintentional crossing of more than the first.

The caged drug is connected to an antenna that upon receipt of a specific radio signal causes the physical break down of the carbon-nanotube-based cage. The package including the antenna is roughly half the size of a red blood cell. A coating of biocompatible molecules minimizes the physiological side effects from the caged drugs. There is, on very rare occasions, mild inflammatory responses that can be treated with over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Because some degradation of the caged drugs occurs naturally in the body, supplemental injections are advised every six weeks and always after drugs have been released.

Guards in barless facilities will be equipped with radio transmitters that can be aimed at individual inmates or larger areas to quell local unrest. The transmitters used by the guards will be unable to access the frequencies that trigger the fatal dosages.

NanoCage and United Penitentiary Systems claim this is the new model for working prisons, where inmate labor is unencumbered by restraints or monitoring devices and physical investment costs are not much more than traditional factories. The perimeter of these facilities need only be physically secured to keep people from trespassing on the grounds.