Mafia 2 pulled off a prison sequence like the one being described in this topic, though it was very linear and connected to the story, not a result of committing crime. It was also, off topic and IMHO, the best looking in-game prison i've ever seen.

Fighting is different from shanking.

Just because it's nordish terrirory doesn't mean that crime prevention/law enforcement is lacking. Many "more rugged" areas of the world have had less law enforcement personel/resources but balanced it with incredibly severe penalties. You know, like getting your hand chopped off if you steal something. Culturally, I would think the nords are actually more likley to have more severe and perhaps better crime prevention than imperials.

Well, with the new dynamic conversations you can have with NPC's, where you don't zoom in to them anymore, it may update how people react and speak to other NPC's around you as well. We may see a lot more depth when it comes to what others are doing, not just yourself. Should be awesome.

I imagine Skyrim would be like Britain or other distant Roman provinces as the Roman empire collapsed and crumbled. maybe one imperial town that has a decent number of guards and some semblance of law but thats it. other towns should have Nord guards and a different law system. Maybe the dunmer city would have dunmer guards in bonemold armour like MW and have their own set of laws etc.

it would add great depth and would change the way you approach thievery or assassinations in different cities. It would be great if you could join an anti-imperial faction too and try and topple the rule of law in the one imperial city and get to sack and pillage it like a true Nord Barbarian!

on the flip side maybe you can be pro imperial and defend against a Nord raid and try and convince provincial Nord town chiefs to adopt imperial law or support the Pro-imperial claimant to the Nord throne or something.