NationStates Jolt Archive

Why don't Western countries start use flogging as punishment? Normally they use prison, or fines enforced by prison. But prisons -- even the best prisons -- are a far worse punishment. They hold prisoners in an unproductive state so that when they come out, they can't find a decent job. They also put lots of lawbreakers together so they can more easily "compare notes". In some prisons, gangs already organize outside crimes. In contrast, flogging has minimal impact on a convicts's productivity and doesn't aggregate lawbreakers.

Prisons also lose deterrent effect quickly. Once someone has committed enough crimes to get the maximum penalty (life imprisonment or death), he no longer has any penal incentive to stop. He'll shoot witnesses and police to stay free. In contrast, flogging can be arbitrarily increased in severity, almost without limit.

Flogging also reduces the harms of false conviction. Any physical damage can be repaired, while it's impossible to give someone his time back.

Western countries should start instituting flogging.

'Cause we evolved, nuff said.

We don't want to psy punish people, we want to break their minds.

I've been known to flog the dolphin when he's been misbehaving. :D

Why don't Western countries start use flogging as punishment? Normally they use prison, or fines enforced by prison. But prisons -- even the best prisons -- are a far worse punishment. They hold prisoners in an unproductive state so that when they come out, they can't find a decent job. They also put lots of lawbreakers together so they can more easily "compare notes". In some prisons, gangs already organize outside crimes. In contrast, flogging has minimal impact on a convicts's productivity and doesn't aggregate lawbreakers.

Prisons also lose deterrent effect quickly. Once someone has committed enough crimes to get the maximum penalty (life imprisonment or death), he no longer has any penal incentive to stop. He'll shoot witnesses and police to stay free. In contrast, flogging can be arbitrarily increased in severity, almost without limit.

Flogging also reduces the harms of false conviction. Any physical damage can be repaired, while it's impossible to give someone his time back.

Western countries should start instituting flogging.

It still is in some western countries, or at least was until very recently in Jamaica, according to a quick search: http://www.corpun.com/jmju9805.htm

Flogging, as traditionally practiced, often resulted in disfigurement. It also seems not to have the degree of deterence you seek.

As a punishment flogging seems to have been fairly ineffective, even as a deterent, with the same man frequently being flogged for the same offence time and again.
http://www.nelsonsnavy.co.uk/broadside8.html

Prisons - and really the so called criminal justice system - aren't really about criminals and prisoners. They are about us and our own prejudices.

We don't flog people, because we like to think that we are civilized. Of course, no-one really examines the alternatives, or who we brand criminals anyway.

Rank hypocracy really. Personally, I have no problem with corporal punishment; within limits.

(God, I think I may be turning into some form of anarchist).

huh?

what is the point of a punishment that is EASIER than the ones we have now? thats easier to get through? that would just be "the price of doing business?"

we need punishments that both deter and keep the criminals off the streets so they cant commit crimes for a while

besides, flogging is a pretty severe punishment. it can cripple a person or even kill them. and its bad for the person who has to do the flogging. beating a person half to death is bad for your psychology.

they still practice stoning in the middle east lol. i dont want ppl who get death penalty to get hurt like that, but they shoud be put to death almost immediately (to hell with the 15 year wait on death row). also, LETS BRING BACK THE ELECTRIC CHAIR!!!! :)

Flogging, as traditionally practiced, often resulted in disfigurement. It also seems not to have the degree of deterence you seek.


I don't imagine that any judicial sanctions have all that much of a deterent effect.

The current solution seems to be incarcerate anyone with criminal tendencies indefinitely.

What do you think about bringing the cane back to schools as well?

What do you think about bringing the cane back to schools as well?

Ha. I went to a school where they had the cane.

It was a better system than the stupid administrative bullshit they have now.

Why don't Western countries start use flogging as punishment?

Because we must keep the dangerous whip and cat-o-nine-tails industry monopoly at bay.

Australia used to have flogging. Australia used to be flog crazy. But we stopped flogging entirely in the 1950's. Funny thing is, murder and assault rates were much higher back in days when flogging was popular.

Get rid of the 15 year wait so we can kill more of the innocent people on deathrow before they get freed because of some DNA evidence that proves their innocence? Death is permanent, if we screw up and kill an innocent person, we can't bring them back. Where is the justice in that?

Yes I admit, there are times I want to see some of these sick bastards killed, but overall, I'd rather see life imprisonment. Let 'em make license plates or clean up the litter on roadways if we want to put prisoners to good use. No flogging, no death penalty.

Because flogging a serial killler and then letting him go isnt a good idea.

flogging is a healthy way of correcting a mistake...

Because flogging a serial killler and then letting him go isnt a good idea.

I think it is aimed more at petty criminals.

I would consider flogging as a method of justice/punishment if there was any evidence that it was any more effective than our current methods.

I would consider flogging as a method of justice/punishment if there was any evidence that it was any more effective than our current methods.

Aye .... damn good point ... didn't they used to flog people for saying "Love thy enemy"?

Must be hard for those found innocent on appeal.

"Sorry about the hideous pain we inflicted you. Never mind, we can't win them all, can we?

I would consider flogging as a method of justice/punishment if there was any evidence that it was any more effective than our current methods.

How about if it was no less effective, but shown to be less burdensome on the offender?

Must be hard for those found innocent on appeal.

"Sorry about the hideous pain we inflicted you. Never mind, we can't win them all, can we?


Oomph! Kind of like raping an accused rapist, then finding out there innocent!:p

With today's modern atmosphere of sexual fetishes, one also has to ask;

What if they like it?!? :eek:

What if they like it?!? :eek:

Oops! Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

With today's modern atmosphere of sexual fetishes, one also has to ask;

What if they like it?!? :eek:

Well obviously, in that case, you'd brutally refuse to flog them.

With today's modern atmosphere of sexual fetishes, one also has to ask;

What if they like it?!? :eek:

Which begs the quote, "How do you like me now?!" :p




/finds this all seriously amusing.

Well obviously, in that case, you'd brutally refuse to flog them.

Maybe you can have a selection of sexual torture devices and ask the criminal: "So, what don't you like?"

Maybe you can have a selection of sexual torture devices and ask the criminal: "So, what don't you like?"

We could put it on a webcam.

Hang on though, what if they are really good liars? "NO!! NOT the full body boob massage!!!! ANYTHING BUT THAT, PLEASE........"

Maybe you can have a selection of sexual torture devices and ask the criminal: "So, what don't you like?"


No-no! You have to use reverse psych, not direct. ^_^