How Jail Works in Star Citizen: A Comprehensive Guide

The jail system in Star Citizen is a consequence for committing crimes deemed punishable by the United Empire of Earth (UEE). Upon accumulating a sufficient CrimeStat, players will be apprehended by UEE security forces or bounty hunters. Players are transported to a prison facility like Klescher Rehabilitation Facility on Aberdeen (Crusader system), where they must serve out their sentence. This sentence is served by completing designated prison labor tasks, most notably mining Quantainium, a valuable but volatile resource. Successfully reducing your sentence to zero results in release back into the general population with your record wiped clean. The system provides a gameplay loop designed to deter criminal behavior, offering an alternative to simply dying and respawning, with associated consequences that affect the player’s experience and reputation within the Star Citizen universe.

Entering and Surviving Klescher Rehabilitation Facility

When your CrimeStat reaches a certain threshold (typically CrimeStat 1 and above), engaging with law enforcement or bounty hunters becomes risky. If caught, you’ll be incapacitated and transported to Klescher Rehabilitation Facility, or another prison facility designated in the future. Upon arrival, you’ll be stripped of your belongings (which are stored and retrievable upon release), issued a prison jumpsuit, and assigned a digital wrist device that tracks your sentence and progress.

Survival in Klescher isn’t guaranteed. The prison environment includes dangers like:

• Environmental hazards: Toxic fumes and falling debris are common in the mining tunnels.
• Other inmates: Players may choose to cooperate, compete, or even prey on each other.
• Security measures: Guards and automated systems monitor the facility, ready to subdue anyone who breaks the rules.

To survive, you must manage your character’s basic needs (hunger and thirst) and avoid attracting unwanted attention. Cooperating with other inmates can provide safety in numbers, while avoiding conflict will keep you out of further trouble.

Earning Freedom: Mining and Other Tasks

The primary way to reduce your sentence in Klescher is by mining Quantainium. This process involves:

1. Locating a mining node: Using your wrist device, navigate through the tunnels to find Quantainium deposits. These deposits are marked on your mini map.
2. Extracting the Quantainium: Using a mining tool (provided by the prison), extract the ore from the node.
3. Delivering the Quantainium: Transport the extracted ore to designated collection points.

However, mining Quantainium is not without risk. The ore is highly volatile, and improper handling can lead to explosions. Additionally, rival inmates may attempt to steal your hard-earned Quantainium.

Beyond mining, players can potentially reduce their sentence by completing other tasks, which may vary depending on future updates and the specific prison facility. These tasks may include:

• Maintenance duties: Repairing equipment or cleaning up the facility.
• Information gathering: Collecting intel for other inmates (potentially for a price).
• Cooperating with guards: Providing information about other inmates or activities.

Escaping Klescher: A Risky Alternative

While serving your sentence is the intended way to regain your freedom, escaping Klescher is a risky but potentially rewarding alternative. Escaping requires careful planning, coordination, and a willingness to break the rules.

Possible escape routes include:

• Exploiting security loopholes: Finding weaknesses in the prison’s security systems.
• Infiltrating restricted areas: Gaining access to areas normally off-limits to inmates.
• Gaining the cooperation of guards or other staff: Bribery or coercion could provide an advantage.
• Using the Maintenance Tunnels: Using vents and maintenance tunnels to navigate around Klescher.

Successfully escaping Klescher comes with benefits:

• Immediate freedom: You avoid the need to complete your sentence.
• Retained reputation: You keep whatever you’ve achieved in the Persistent Universe.

However, the risks are also significant:

• Increased CrimeStat: A successful escape will significantly increase your CrimeStat, making you a more attractive target for bounty hunters and UEE security forces.
• Lengthier sentence upon recapture: If recaptured, your sentence will be much longer.
• Permanent record: Your escape attempt will be permanently recorded, affecting your future interactions with law enforcement.

Using a Cave System to Escape

There is a cave system accessible within Klescher Rehabilitation Facility on Aberdeen. This cave system is a popular escape route, as it allows inmates to circumvent some of the more heavily guarded areas. This method involves locating the entrance to the cave, navigating through the labyrinthine tunnels, and ultimately reaching an exit point outside the prison walls. The cave system can also have Quantainium nodes, giving another route for sentence reduction. Be careful, as the cave system can be very dark, and you may need to use your personal light source to navigate.

Retrieving Your Gear After Release

Upon completing your sentence or successfully escaping, you’ll need to retrieve your stored gear. This is typically done at a designated terminal near the prison facility. Once retrieved, you can resume your previous activities with a clean slate (if you served your sentence) or with an even higher CrimeStat (if you escaped).

Jail: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide further insight into the jail system in Star Citizen:

1. What happens when I get a CrimeStat?

When you get a CrimeStat, you become a target for bounty hunters and UEE security forces. The higher your CrimeStat, the more aggressive they will be.

2. How do I get arrested?

You get arrested by being incapacitated by UEE security forces or bounty hunters while having an active CrimeStat.

3. What happens to my ship when I go to jail?

Your ship is impounded and can be retrieved after you serve your sentence by paying a fee at the impound terminal.

4. How long is my sentence?

The length of your sentence depends on the severity of your crimes and your prior record. Repeat offenders will face longer sentences.

5. Can I reduce my sentence by doing something other than mining?

Yes, but these tasks can be less readily available and may come with their own risks.

6. Can I use real money to get out of jail?

No. Star Citizen does not allow players to pay to reduce their sentence or otherwise gain an advantage in the jail system.

7. What happens if I die in prison?

You will respawn back in the medical bay of the prison and your progress will be lost. You won’t lose progress if you just log off normally.

8. Can other players help me escape?

Yes, other players can assist you in escaping by providing resources, distractions, or combat support.

9. What are the risks of escaping?

Escaping increases your CrimeStat, making you a more attractive target for bounty hunters, and results in a longer sentence upon recapture.

10. How do I find the entrance to the cave system?

The entrance to the cave system is typically located in a less-monitored area of the prison, near the mining tunnels. Exploring the facility can lead you to it.

11. Can I get weapons in prison?

It is possible to acquire weapons in prison, either by looting them from fallen inmates or by finding them hidden within the facility.

12. What happens to my inventory when I go to prison?

Your inventory is stored and can be retrieved upon your release.

13. Does my reputation affect my sentence?

Yes, your reputation can influence the length of your sentence and the severity of your treatment within the prison.

14. Can I appeal my sentence?

Currently, there is no in-game mechanism for appealing a sentence.

15. Will the jail system be updated in the future?

Yes, Cloud Imperium Games has indicated that the jail system is an ongoing development and will likely see further updates and improvements in the future.

The jail system in Star Citizen offers a unique gameplay experience, providing consequences for criminal behavior and opportunities for redemption or daring escapes. Understanding the mechanics of the system is crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities it presents. Whether you choose to serve your time, escape, or simply avoid crime altogether, the jail system is an integral part of the Star Citizen universe.