Rimworld: 10 Steps for Prison Construction and Prisoner Recruitment

Rimworld: The Ultimate Guide to Building and Managing Prisons

Rimworld, the colony management sim from Ludeon Studios, takes players on a rollercoaster ride of triumph and despair as they strive to build a thriving utopia but end up with a chaotic mess instead. It’s like playing god, only to realize that god has a twisted sense of humor and enjoys watching your colonists suffer. But fear not, dear players, for I have compiled the ultimate guide to help you build and manage your prisons in Rimworld!

Step 1: Build the Perfect Prison

The first step in establishing your prison is to create an enclosed space to house your prisoners. Use the Architect menu and select Structure to build walls and doors. Make sure to leave enough space for at least one bed or sleeping spot. If resources are scarce, a simple sleeping spot will do. Just remember, we’re going for functional, not luxurious.

Step 2: Provide Comfortable Accommodations

A prison wouldn’t be complete without a bed, right? Well, in Rimworld, that’s true. Your prison room needs at least one bed to be classified as a prison and allow arrests. If you don’t have enough wood, a basic sleeping spot will suffice. Keep in mind that better conditions will improve your chances of winning over prisoners, but sometimes you have to prioritize survival over comfort.

Step 3: Designate Beds for Prisoners

To prevent your colonists from claiming the prison beds for themselves, make sure to allow the beds to be used by prisoners. Simply select the bed and choose the option “Allow for prisoners.” Now your prison is ready for its first visitors!

Step 4: Appoint a Warden

Every successful prison needs a capable warden. Assign a colonist to be in charge of managing prisoners and preventing escape attempts. The good thing is, this task is only necessary when you have a prisoner, so your warden can focus on other tasks when the prison is empty.

Step 5: Draft a Law-Enforcer

When it’s time to lay down the law and make an arrest, you need a colonist with the right traits for the job. Select a colonist and draft them to take direct control. This will allow you to issue orders, including arresting NPCs or fellow colonists.

Step 6: Attempt the Arrest

With your law-enforcer drafted, hover over the enemy NPC you want to arrest and select Interact. If the chance of success is 100%, go for it! But if it’s below 50%, it’s best to abort and try again with a different colonist. Don’t forget to send a well-equipped colonust to minimize the risk of injuries during the arrest.

Step 7: Reduce Resistance

To recruit a prisoner successfully, it’s easier to first reduce their resistance. Open the character information screen and select the “Prisoner” tab. From there, choose “Reduce Resistance.” This will gradually make the prisoner more inclined to join your cause. Be patient, as it may take some time.

Step 8: Keep Those Prisoners Healthy

Healing prisoners might seem like a waste of resources, but if you plan on recruiting them, it’s a necessary investment. Treat those raiders who survive your attacks and require medical attention. You can decide the quality of treatment based on available resources.

Step 9: Treat Inmates with Kindness

The best way to recruit prisoners is to treat them with respect during their stay in the jail cell. Beating them or denying them basic needs won’t earn you any favors. Show them kindness and they might just see the light and decide to join your colony.

Step 10: Recruit the Prisoners

Once the resistance of a prisoner reaches zero, it’s time to recruit them. Open the character info screen, go to the “Prisoner” tab, and select “Recruit.” A colonist assigned as a warden will then convince the prisoner to join your colony. Congratulations, you’ve successfully turned a troublemaker into a loyal team member!

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to building and managing prisons in Rimworld. Remember, it’s all about balance and treating your prisoners with care. Good luck, and may your colonies thrive amidst the chaos!

Rimworld is available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PS5.

Rimworld: 10 Steps for Prison Construction and Prisoner Recruitment