In the year 2005, juvenile crime had taken a terrible upward spiral. Juveniles were now responsible for over 50 percent of all crime, and the rate was rising with every year. Local governments and states had attempted to legislate stiffer penalties into law, but they just didn't seem to work. It wasn't until two Supreme Court justices had separate acts of vandalism done against them by roving gangs of juveniles that they hinted to the legislature that they would accept laws requiring corporal punishment of juveniles. Rather than go through the sporatic timing of local states, the US Congress and Senate met in joint session, and ironed out Juvenile laws. The bill was quickly signed by the President. A first case was immediately appealed to the Supreme Court, which held the law to be constitutional. Thus, the new age of juvenile discipline was born. Juveniles were required by law to carry with them a juvenile ID card. Failure to have your card with you would result in immediate punishment.
The Toshiba Company, recognizing a golden opportunity, quickly introduced a corporal punishment machine. The machine's advantages over regular punishment were many. First, it was impersonal, so all punishments would be equal. Second, it was cheap to operate. Juvenile courts, schools, police authorities, and even parents (especially those who would never spank their own child) could simply let the machine do the work. The machines were very sturdy, safe, and cheap to operate. They were supported by taxes, so any referal was "free".
The machines consisted of a metal box like affair with a steel door on it. The juvenile would enter the machine, be instructed on what to do, and would be punished and released all within minutes. No more court delays! Further refinments led to buildings called "Disciplinariums" which were located in large cities all across the country. They were completely automated, and were able to be open 24 hours a day. A juvenile would be given a punishment slip with a number from 1 to 5 marked on it (actually punched out). The child would enter the building, swipe their identity card through a card reader, and then enter the punishment card, followed by the number that they were given. A "1" would mean that they would receive the exact amount of strokes as their age. A two would be twice as many strokes etc. The machine used 3 punishment instruments. It would pick an instrument at random, and the recipient would not know what they were getting until the actual punishment started. They could tell by the position they were put in. The first instrument was a lexan paddle. It was 5 inches wide, by 15 inches long at it's paddle end. There were 13 randomly spaced 1/2 inch holes drilled and smoothed into the plastic. Paddle punishments were given with the child bent over at a 90 degree angle. The second instrument was a strap made of a space age polimer that was 100% stronger than leather, and 50% more flexible. It was 4 inches wide by 18 inches long. The last 10 inches were split into two "fingers". Strap punishments were given with the child laying flat. The last (and thought by all children to be the worst) instrument was a lexan cane. It was 32 inches long, and slightly thicker than an automobile radio antenna. It was clear plastic, and extreemly strong yet "whippy". Cane punishments were given with the child bent over at a 45 degree angle.
Disciplinariums could hold anywhere from 4 to 20 machines. The building consisted of a lobby, where the card swipe machine was, hard benches along the walls, and a running light strip which spelled out instructions, along with a voice monitor. When a machine was available, the child would be called, using their ID number. While waiting, continuous loop videos would show what was required of the child. They showed either a girl, or boy (there were two tapes, which ran concurrently on two different videos) who would be seen sitting in the waiting room, they would see their number, rise, walk to the door to the machine rooms, swipe their card again, enter the door, and proceed to the machine that they had been told to go to. There, they were instructed that they were to disrobe from the waist down. They were told that they were to leave their shoes on. They were told that nothing could hang below their waist. They were told that they had 3 minutes to disrobe and enter the machine. Any delay would result in additional punishment. Of course, on the tape, they just jumped to it, and quickly disrobed, neatly folded their clothes, and entered the machine with plenty of time to spare. In reality, over 50 % of first timers were awarded extra punishment due to delay, caused either by not being fast enough, or (probably more likely) being afraid. The child in the video then enters the machine, follows instructions to step onto the yellow foot pads and raise their hands ovr their heads. The machine then secures them at ankle and wrist by straps. They are pulled taut, and a scanner reads their body density, weight, height, and size of buttocks. This is all done in seconds. Then, in the video, the child is bent over a padded bar, and the door closes on the camera. No spanking is shown, but the children are shown coming out after the spanking, (without even a tear in their eyes), are seen to dress, and leave. In reality, most children are crying from the time they enter the building, and all are crying when they leave. Videos are taken of each punisment, and can be seen by anyone on cable tv. This was considered to be an effective way to warn young folks of the results of any misdeeds.
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