The Black Swan

History

"The Black Swan" is a notorious military prison operated by the Ministry of National Security of the Republic of Atlantica.

Established in 1851 by the British during their colonial rule, control of the stockade was transfered to new Republic of Atlantica when the country gained its independence in 1985. Since then this facility has been used to detain both dangerous criminals and political opponents of the Government of Atlantica.

Despite the government's official acceptance of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention, The Black Swan remains feared by the people of Atlantica. Being "sent to The Black Swan" often means receiving a death sentence - or something much worse - even during the colonial period of Atlantican history.

In the current crisis in Atlantica, many human rights advocacy NGOs, including Rights Without Borders, have accused the Atlantican government of detaining many southern Atlanticans without due process and serious human rights abuses.

"The Black Swan" as a Training Concept

In reality "The Black Swan" is a training concept created by K. Elmore and D. Gotzmann, students at Indian River College in Fort Pierce, Florida, to help understand humanitarian principles and the "rule of law" particularly as they apply to the reconstruction of criminal justice systems in post-conflict environments. 

"Black Swan" scenarios are an integral part of the ATLANTIC HOPE and SVETLINA peace operations training exercise held every March by Indian River College and its partners.

During the exercise, participants role-play "representatives" conducting prison visits to ensure that the rule of law and the rights of persons interned for security reasons are respected. Using the jail facilities at Indian River College professional law enforcement personnel in turn role-play corrections officers and prisoners. The "representatives" must apply their classroom knowledge of humanitarian law in practical problem-solving while visiting the prisoners and prison authorities at the fictional "Black Swan."