Taking prisoners in a SHTF situation

[Big_Saw]

Howdy, Scafool,

What you say is correct as far as conquerors go. However, I do not seek to conquer anyone, but only to live the life of a free, sovereign, self-reliant individual. Basically, I preach and practice "live-and-let-live" and I expect and insist others do the same.

Since criminals and tyrants have everything to gain from free individuals and free individuals have nothing to gain from criminals and tyrants, I am of the no-quarter-no-mercy "take no prisoners" and "don't be taken prisoner" schools of thought.

Life, Liberty, and Property are all of a single piece. The criminal or tyrant who seeks to take my property and my freedom had might as well be coming to take my life, so when that criminal or tyrant does so, I will respond as if my life is threatened.

As usual, TUO, all-inclusive, concise, and well-put....

[leadslinger]

Prisoners would only be a burdan on your supplies and time. BUT a good worker to do a costruction project might save your back. then send it packing

[Big_Saw]

Prisoners would only be a burdan on your supplies and time. BUT a good worker to do a costruction project might save your back. then send it packing

Hmmm....slavery....it does get sh*t done......look at the pyramids......good point....

[methusaleh]

Wow I never knew the thread would take off like this, thanks for all your input!

After reading your responses and discussing things with people, I do have to arrive at the conclusion that any threat needs to be eliminated, period, for many reasons.

When I posted originally, my mind was wandering to my days as an MP and our prisoner policies. In TSHTF situation, given all factors imaginable, prisoners are just not feasible even for the short-term.

[forever_frost]

I can say that I'd not take prisoners. They would be a drain on very finite resources, food, water, medical.

[rancher]

Issue has been settled...

Maybe not for you but for us and our group...no prisoners. If the terrible was to happen and we all fell back here as planned then life would be in a very dangerous times. We certainly would not exit our perimeters to go looking for trouble, mainly to recon the remote area around us looking for signs of being probed.

If we had someone break into our perimeter which is and would be clearly marked they would be observed. If armed and sneaking in they would be rubbed out. If lost we would warn them in such a way to leave and never return.

We would never give any hand out and simply act as if we were starving. Better yet we have every intention to make all efforts towards appearing to just be a deserted ranch in the country.

Rule #1 Never cross our barb wire perimeter.
Rule #2 If you do you will not live to recross in again.

[TAZDEVIL]

Don't beleive I will be taking any either... to many if's in that situtation... besides I'm not stock piling food to feed the enemy.

[shadowwalker]

A very good friend of mine has also had war experiences and been a mercenary. I was talking to him about that, he looked me in the eye and said "I only got a few words about that, hoss. MY FOOD or to feed my dogs".
Now that's one to wrap your head around. And yes, I do believe this man would use someone for that, and not be too concerned over doing it.

[Skyowl's Wife]

Now that's one to wrap your head around. And yes, I do believe this man would use someone for that, and not be too concerned over doing it.

He may be the one to survive the SHTF time, but lordy, I hope we aren't THAT far gone. Ever see/read The Postman?

Kinda hokey movie, but some of the premises looked pretty realistic. Like the "warlord". And the groups of more pacifistic people paying tribute. And the women subject to "selection".

*sigh*

[leadslinger]

prisoners

wow you really think that I would go looking for prisoners or take prisoners just to take. NO there will be hard labor jobs to be done like well digging and latrine holes, farming tasks, wall building. things of that nature. there will be people trying to take what we have and there punishment will be hard labor until the tasks are done. then you can release or deport the subjects. just like our government should do to illeagle border crossers. let them buid the wall and dig the trenches.

[rancher]

Wow...

Are you really saying you would take in people who tried to kill or hurt you and force them to work? You must have a lot of guards in your group there.... Where are you going to house this work force. Got enough extra food as well?

Then on top of it...let them go with all that knowledge of your interior infrastructures and layout?

Just to return.... knowing how to get to you?

Why not put you and your guards to work instead?

The last thing we want or will allow is any outsider getting a look at our operation from inside. We build and prep now so if the day comes we need it we are not making a bunch of noise and activity which will only attract more attention to us....

Just a different point of view ;-)