[Suggestion] Guard Weapon Supplies/Equipping Guards

[NylePudding]

I'm not too sure if this has been mentioned before, but after watching the recent Alpha 7 video an idea sprang into my mind. Weapons for guards (shotguns, batons etc.) should cost a fair amount of cash to buy, perhaps as an added cost you have to buy a license too. But what if you could also use weapons the prisoners smuggle inside and equip your guards with those lethal objects? It would mean cheap prisons would have guards equipped with not-so-great make shift weapons the prisoners had either fashioned themselves or smuggled in. I personally think it would add to the humour if your guards had shoddy knuckledusters or table legs as weapons.

I understand we haven't seen how those shotguns are implemented in the game yet, so maybe some of the things I mentioned are in the works. Anyway what do you think?

[Bureaucromancer]

Oh lord, this is giving me visions of guards also having stats. Rather than equipping them as such, if they feel threatened they may start equipping themselves "unofficially", creating a higher likelihood of your guards killing a prisoner or starting a violent incident that spirals out of control. Could be interesting to have to deal with the employees beyond just the workers getting scared off all the time.

[FanaticGamer1989]

I second this, we need to be able to buy guards armed with firearms to suppress riots and send a bloody example to anyone else that wants to rebel against the authority

[BL4DE]

Oh lord, this is giving me visions of guards also having stats. Rather than equipping them as such, if they feel threatened they may start equipping themselves "unofficially", creating a higher likelihood of your guards killing a prisoner or starting a violent incident that spirals out of control. Could be interesting to have to deal with the employees beyond just the workers getting scared off all the time.

Or even better, a guard in the MaxSec by all means has to be unarmed. That's for the inmates don't get a chance to lay hands on a gun when they bust that mans head open. What if he had an unauthorized weapon...? The guards in front of MaxSec are NonLethal armed when something has happened inside and don't expect the prisoners to shoot on sight.

Hell. This alone would make for a GREAT addition to the concept of Prison Architect.

[christhekiller]

I think guards should be equipped with nonlethal weapons such as beanbag guns, tazers, and tear gas, they would be effective ways to quickly deal with riots and fights.

[BL4DE]

I think guards should be equipped with nonlethal weapons such as beanbag guns, tazers, and tear gas, they would be effective ways to quickly deal with riots and fights.

With the option to equip the guards in some occasions (i.e. grand riot already in effect) with lethal weapons. Via a seperate weapon storage room for example, which btw would be an excelent riot destination before heading for the exit.

In Real Life prison riot guards get live ammunition when the shit is boiled and ready to explode.

[christopher1006]

My first thought was a mental image of my guards armed with rakes, shears and spoons taking on a max security riot

[111none]

My first thought was a mental image of my guards armed with rakes, shears and spoons taking on a max security riot

Somwere along tose lines too. armed with a wooden plank taking on riots XD

[phoenixca]

In Real Life prison riot guards get live ammunition when the shit is boiled and ready to explode.

Yes, but they still need to follow strict guidelines about what level of force is used. Lethal force is...well it should be a last resort, but after some reflection, I realized that worldwide, this thinking is probably in the minority. Depending on just how accountable the police/security force is, the progression from physically subduing a subject to lethal force can be quite long, though clear and very strict. (I've had cops from different provinces here tell me about the specifics, and it takes a lot to get them to pull their gun. They really aren't keen on it. Maybe the police is the US are more macho and gung-ho about it, or maybe they pull their guns faster because so many civvies have them.)

And then there's the UK, where lethal force isn't an option most of the time; they need to call special units if they need lethal weapons.

[BL4DE]

100% aggreed.
When all else already has failed and the riot is turning into a desaster with handmade gunfiring and taking hostages the warden of the prison usually already has informed his surperior and armed forces are on the way to back the guards.
But until they arrive the guards are armed with lethal weapons for selfprotection issues.

As always. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.


Btw I'm from germany. The prisons here are more like vacation buildings compared with prisons in the US of A or UK for that matter.
Our Police is armed, but if only a single warning shot is fired the Policeman/woman has to fill out 3 forms with 3 copies each stating exactly why this was the only option left. The prison guards in germany are NOT armed aside from tasers and pepper gas. But then aggain we have nearly no really violent inmates whatsoever. No terrorists, very few murderers compared to US and UK ..
But the guards are nontheless able to be armed when all else fails, there are plans for this circumstance and very strict rules to it.

[TheKazz]

I am from the US and I believe you are slightly miss informed about how "gung-ho" our police are to actually fire a gun. Drawing and aiming a firearm is a differant story but there is a mountain of paper work and the possablity that the officer maybe convicted of murder or attempted murder for taking a shot. There are some very strict rules of engagement for both police and prison gaurds in the US and they have all the same standards and laws of the average civilian when it comes to use of deadly force for the purpose of self defence and are usally given harsher treatment in the court system for failer to fallow those rules of engagement. That being said 60% or better of our law enforcement retire without ever pulling thier gun out and at least 75% never fire it on duty. with the exception of S.W.A.T. members.

[Dodgy_Georgy]

Getting guns in the game so easily seems like a very dangerous idea...

If it causes enough damage to kill someone then it might as well blow doors out or something... The control of the prison would be real hard if some inmates get their hands on guns...
Imagine the consequences after 5 inmates run away killing 3-4 guards on their way out, how much would that cost to repair??

I think it's better to leave all internal guards with non-lethal things (tear gas, tazers etc.) and maybe give The Chief a gun cause he is in charge.
But if sh*t does get out of control it would be great if the upcoming Riot Guards could be armed with pistols or such for example.

[Parker22]

I know what you mean

Maybe it's a late game thing. And maybe the player will get heavily penalised if a prisoner actually got shot or even worse, killed.
Also, guards could have body armour. This would allow prisoners to 'shoot' at guards who don't necessarily have to die all the time. Or the guards could scarper and wait for the cavalry.

I think we have to remember its a game. And we are making the game (ahem, sort of) So we can programme it so there isn't a pile of bodies every Tuesday when it's vegetarian night or whatever.

It can be played out as a hostage and escape situation. Or a simple surrender of the prisoner and escorted back to the cell.

Also, an 'authorised to shoot' button would make it a serious decision to actually shoot would raise the suspense.

Also, the old 'laser beam on the chest' upgrade could help persuade prisoners to surrender...

[TheLordOfEvil]

Getting guns in the game so easily seems like a very dangerous idea...
I think it's better to leave all internal guards with non-lethal things (tear gas, tazers etc.) and maybe give The Chief a gun cause he is in charge.
But if sh*t does get out of control it would be great if the upcoming Riot Guards could be armed with pistols or such for example.

Normally in regular prisons this is how it'd be done. Armed guards won't go into any area where prisoners are roaming free and will only come in when things have escalated dramatically. Also they normally only use rubber bullets as well.