"Well, you got the Builders, the Sloppers, Baggers, Cooks, Map-makers, Med-jacks, Track-Hoes, Blood Housers. The Runners, of course. I don't know, a few more, maybe." […]
"What's a Slopper?" He knew that was what Chuck did, but the boy never wanted to talk about it. […]
"That's what the shanks do that can't do nothin' else. Clean toilets, clean the showers, clean the kitchen, clean up the Blood House after a slaughter, everything." (16.6,8)
That's the problem with structure: there's always gotta be someone on the bottom.
Quote 2
"You know, I'm really not all that scared. I mean, last few nights, sitting in the Homestead, just waiting for a Griever to come in and steal one of us was the worst thing I've ever done. At least now we're taking it to them, trying something." (54.4)
Chuck has a good point for once: taking action is a great way to defeat fear. The worst part can often be the time when you're sitting there just dreading whatever it is that you're afraid of.
"The Slammer. It's our jail on the north side of the Homestead." Chuck pointed in that direction. "They threw him in it so fast, the Med-jacks had to patch him up in there." (13.38)
At least they have somewhere to contain those awaiting sentencing. Who knows where they'd go otherwise… oh right. They're trapped in the Glade surrounded by a deadly Maze… but throwing guys in there would be a sentencing in its own right.
"Already had a Gathering of the Keepers this morning—made a unanimous decision by the sounds of it. Looks like Ben'll be wishing that arrow had found a home inside his shuck brain after all." […] "He's being Banished. Tonight, for trying to kill you." (13.40)
And yet later, when Gally threatens to kill both Thomas and Minho during a Gathering, he gets off scot-free. Well, he runs off before anyone can catch him, but it just seems like one more episode where even though the rules are strict and firm, the enforcement of them is a little lax.
"Think about it. Our memories are wiped. We live inside a place that seems to have no way out, surrounded by bloodthirsty monster-guards. Doesn't that sound like a prison to you?" As he said it out loud, it sounded more and more possible. Nausea trickled into his chest.
"I'm probably twelve years old, dude." Chuck pointed to his chest. "At the most, thirteen. You really think I did something that would send me to prison for the rest of my life?"
"I don't care what you did or didn't do. Either way, you have been sent to a prison. Does this seem like a vacation to you?" (9.56)
Well, if you asked a bunch of prison inmates why they are there we're pretty sure they'd protest their innocence too, but you get the point. They're being confined against their will, and it's no good.
"Then I just got used to it, I guess. This became home, even though we spend every day hoping to get out." (30.17)
Just like in Shawshank Redemption—the guys who'd been in prison forever and then got released didn't know how to cope with the outside world. Eventually, you just get complacent and accept your confinement regardless of its justification.