- For the mirror universe counterpart, see Tantalus colony (mirror).
The Tantalus colony was a Federation penal colony located on planet Tantalus V in the 23rd century.
History and specifics[]
Outpost construction began in the year 2242. The facility's first director was Doctor Xian Leung, who was succeeded by Simon Van Gelder. (Decipher RPG module: Worlds)
Violent criminals from all over the Federation were sent there for rehabilitation. Like all penal colonies in the Federation, it was protected by a force field that prevented any transporter activity, until the field was de-activated. Therefore, any vessel that needed access to the colony had to contact the facility and supply the correct documentation for access.
In 2266, the facility was under the operational control of Dr. Tristan Adams. While initially praised for transforming the prison system in the Federation, it was discovered by the crew of the USS Enterprise that Adams were subjecting inmates and staff to the experimental neural neutralizer device, which would affect their brain-patterns. After the Enterprise put a stop to these illegal experiments, Adams' assistant, Dr. Simon Van Gelder, was placed in charge of the colony. (TOS episode: "Dagger of the Mind")
The Tantalus penal colony continued to operate into the 24th century. It was scheduled for review by the Federation Judiciary Council in 2380. (ST novel: Articles of the Federation)
Starfleet Academy's PSYC 493 psychology course provided cadet internship opportunities at several institutions, including the mental health center at the University of Betazed and the Tantalus colony. (Last Unicorn RPG - SA module: Starfleet Academy Handbook)
In 2370, Kira Nerys believed Maura might be sent to the Tantalus colony after her links to the Romulans were revealed. (DS9 - Hearts and Minds comic: "Masters of War")
The facility held VIP Cardassian prisoners in the 24th century, captured Tzenkethi during the Tzenkethi War, and was overwhelmed with prisoners during the Dominion War. (Decipher RPG module: Worlds)
Additional references[]
In 2265, Captain James T. Kirk joked with Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell that he could visit him at the penal colony on Tantalus V should he be discovered smuggling a bottle of Saurian brandy into the Enterprise's sickbay after Mitchell was hit by a poison dart on the planet Dimorus. (TOS - My Brother's Keeper novel: Enterprise)
Appendices[]
External link[]
- Tantalus colony article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.