Ernesto Cardenal

Before the revolution, the Cuban judicial system was more concerned with maintaining order than with dispensing justice. Policemen often beat youths who congregated on street corners or in plazas on the theory that these youths were gangs about to commit some sort of crime. Cubans who were convicted of minor offenses such as disturbing the peace were routinely sentenced to jail terms of as much as six months.

Much of this changed after the revolution. Public security personnel were expected to treat their civilian "comrades" politely and reasonably, while civilians were expected to obey with respect. In addition, people's courts were established wherein, for minor offenses, one was tried in one's own neighborhood by one's neighbors. Judges were likewise elected from the neighborhood and trained to dispense justice in such a manner that furthered the aims of the revolution.

Ernesto...