Crime

In even a small settlement, crime of some sort is almost inevitable. Minor crimes could be dealt with through fines or restrictions of privileges. More serious crimes may require imprisonment or exile.

Crime in Antarctica can offer an example of what might be the initial conditions on the Mars settlement, until the society becomes large enough to promote its own legal code. Isolation and boredom appear to be a source of crime in Antarctica. Communication with Earth might reduce isolation, but the important time lag in communications will make real conversation impossible. Keeping the colonists busy may be important; a growing colony could offer a constant challenge to keep people occupied.

Construction camps in and mining facilities in Northern Canada have extensive exercise and recreational facilities. However, almost all workers are present on shifts, in the fly-in fly-out mode and therefore spend long periods of time back in larger societies. Again, this would not be possible on Mars.