In message 4.3.2.20020205000807.00b1cb70@pop3.demon.co.uk, Tim Dedopulos tim@midnight.demon.co.uk writes
Does anyone actually know why the Federation went to the trouble of fitting Gan with a limiter? It must have been done after his arrest at the very least, and probably after his conviction. Given the conditions that prisoners are shown to be held in, I doubt that anyone much could cause any significant harm... and delicate brain surgery must cost cash. If it was a simple job, you'd think repairing the limiter would have been a lot easier than it was.
There've been a number of possible explanations put forward. The one I currently favour is that the limiter was still experimental at that stage, and who better to try it out on than condemned prisoners? "Look at the lengths we'll go to to rehabilitate dangerous criminals. Aren't we good?"
A thought strikes me - is it possible that the offence for which Gan was sent to Cygnus Alpha is not the one for which the limiter was fitted?