Spice Mines of Kessel

"We'll be sent to the Spice Mines of Kessel, smashed into who-knows-what!"

- C-3PO

The Spice Mines of Kessel were known as a Galactic Republic prison and later as the Galactic Empire's slave camp.

Description
It was filled with dangerous energy spiders that constantly attacked the workers who mined the precious spice. It was known as a form of torture, as the work was so difficult and the conditions so poor. The mines were extremely cold, so much so that thermal suits had to be worn to keep the workers alive. Because of the weak atmosphere, essential gases such as oxygen were constantly escaping. Oxygen generators were stationed around the planet. The Empire threatened beings who would not cooperate that they would be sentenced to work in the mines if they continued to ignore them.

History
Sometime during the Galactic Civil War, Hawk Carrow and Nagraoao were prisoners in the Spice Mines of Kessel. Roark Garnet took his ship, the Dorion Discus to the Kessel system to rescue his friends, but was stopped by a Star Destroyer for inspection. Garnet bribed the a Navy officer to let him go.

Before Emperor Palpatine died and the Empire started to fall, there was a prison coup in which the assistant to the warden took over and turned the mines into his own slave encampment. Eventually Lando Calrissian attempted to turn the mines into a legitimate operation. The mines were also where Han Solo and Chewbacca discovered Kyp Durron.