I know about, "cruel and unusual punishment". This is not cruel and unusual. It's not pleasant but punishment isn't supposed to be. It would be something to deter people from committing criminal acts knowing that their punishment would be painful. Think about it. check out the website reducecrime.org before you answer. It made me think.
127098
I haven't checked out the site, because my opinion is firmly developed on this subject.\n\nThose deemed guilty of a crime against society, especially a violent crime, in this day and age, are only punished by lack of freedom.  That is not sufficient penalty, in my opinion.  I believe that convicted criminals should be subject to any and all heavy labor deemed relevant to their 'repayment of society'.  \n\nIf imprisonment is to be a true deterrant to crime, it must be 'beyond horrible'.  That's not to say that we should torture, or abuse criminals, but by golly, developing a farmiliarity to HARD WORK can only help them when they get out of prison.\n\nAnd, as an example, I find it personally objectionable as a taxpayer to be paying for cable t.v. service for inmates.  Or to be providing vegetables and grains for prison consumption.  Veggies and grains should be produced by prisoners in prison farms.  \n\nInmates lifting weights all day, or earning a law degree is simply not O.K., if it's done on the backs of their law abiding fellow citizens.  Just my opinion!
133339
I did not read any of the links, but I would like to know what your point is, really.  I can't believe you think it is a good thing -- or a trivial thing -- to so warp a child's life.  Making it a monetary fine, of whatever amount, is tantamount to making all little children into prostitutes!  And slave prostitutes, at that, since they wouldn't even get the money themselves!!!\n\nThis is really bizarre, and I'm looking forward to your explanation.  I'm not going to follow all those link, and neither is anyone else, I'm guessing.  Or maybe one or two of them, but not all.
352852
All excellent points - and the simple truth is that people **DO** afford criminals more rights than victims. It isn't politically correct to do otherwise.\n\nHowever in the US, a very interesting project has been set up. In short although people cannot be FORCED to submit to corporal punishment - some criminals can VOLUNTEER to be treated in that way under some conditions - and perhaps get reduced jail time in return.\n\nLots of details here http://www.okplus.com/fedup/index.html \n\nVery interestingly, they presently have a ZERO recidivism level for people that have been through their system.\n\nDo not be thrown by the site, the program is still running BUT the website is badly in need of some updating (or was when I last looked)\n\nI think one hangup people have about corporal punishment, is the perceived severity of it. The old UK / USA way of flogging across the back in fact left little more than "shaving nicks" - if it cut at all.\n\nAnyone who has seen too many "Mutiny on the bounty" style films and wishes to disagree should try to remember that the make-up department tends to get more than a little carried away.\n\nWet rope is not sharp enough or dense enough to "lay a mans back open to the bone" Something does not need to cut to be felt ;)\n\nThe scheme mentioned above in fact uses low-voltage cable as a cheap disposable lash material. Like the rope, little or no cutting at all - but apparently the welts are quite tender at the time.\n\nI just wish we had a system like this in the UK too, I think it could be a valuable tool to help people stay out of prison and to reduce the prison population. Nanny-state in the UK though at the moment so not much chance for a while yet.
187684
I'm not totally opposed to the idea, but you gotta remember that in the old days, these punishments were meted out on site and without the benefit of "interference" from an impartial judicial system.  While "eye for an eye" would certainly cause some criminals to take a closer look at their actions, it would still have to be administered carefully and minimally, much in the way the death penalty is handled today.
529292
If you rejoice in the pain and death of a murderer, how are you any different?\n\nIf it is revenge that people crave, life in prison in obscurity would be much worse.
349921
Way to soft in my opinioin. Even the US prison system i believe is too soft. If prisoners do serious crimes, they deserve serious punishments. A few years in prison only means a few years of free food, water, and a place to stay. If a man rapes your daughter, will you be satisfied with him just going to prison and getting life easy?- or do you believe he deserves to suffer more and maybe even get a taste of his own medicine...
572583
I know someone going through that right now. I think it's not that they are categorizing by "lesser" offenses... but the assumed potential for further action by an offender. They are playing a game of "possibility" and assumptions. I suppose that they assume given the chance all minor offenders will gradually escalate to some greater offense. Though, I could be wrong... but I think thats what they are thinking.
312567
We're much to soft on criminals, and ASBOs are a complete waste of time,I have a friend,who's son is completely out of hand, and he has an ASBO, but does it bother him? nope,he still does the same old thing. And as for your other points, I was talking to a friend the other day and we were in agreement that the laws on murders,rapists,child abusers are pathetic. The sooner they bring back corporal punishment the better, how many times do we have to read about someone bring hurt or worse by a re-offender? And yeah,theres an area by where I live and you would never get me in there,its sad,that its come to this. Sorryfor the long reply,but I do feel much better now!
373160
The problem is our judicial system is very flawed.  There are many innocent people in jail, and guilty ones in the street.  I agree some people are given lighter sentences than what they deserve and others harsher than they deserve.  But our system is what it is, if you don't plan on getting out there and trying to make a change then there is no point in complaining about it.  I am back and forth on the issue of the death penalty,  but to answer your question, yes there should be certain criteria for sending someone to deathrow.   There should be certain regulations.  But every crime is different, and until it happens to you or someone in your family it is hard to say.  and that goes for being the defendant or the victim.  it is hard on both families.
480156
Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) once put a gold cup in the middle of the town square to prove the lawlessness of his citizens. It stayed in place for six years. Everyone feared the consequences! Now that may seem an extreme example, being that Vlad was a maniac, but it serves to prove a point. When citizens fear punishment, they often times will choose to avoid committing crimes. This isn't foolproof, but crime is less end where there are more severer punishments. Some say that it would be inhumane to punish criminals in such ways, but lets face it, crime is inhumane. So yes, I do believe in corporal punishment.
350626
I think that would be fantastic idea. Anyone guilty of unsocial behavior,minor crimes it would certainly make them think before breaking the law.Just imagine the uproar this would cause ,(ITS against their Human rights)\nNever about the rights of law abiding citizens.
28013
haha, no.  i think the fun in crime is getting away with it.  maybe i would support it for ex-cons or something, but if everytime i J-walked i got a ticket in the mail, i would want to hurt someone.  then i would get another one and that would simply reinforce the anger.
73296
It would help curb *senseless* crime if it were actually used when it should be. What kills me is the "life without parole" sentences - if that prisoner can never be rehabilitated, what use is (s)he?
595040
Does seem a bit out of whack...now the one committing the crime is considered the victim of an uncaring society.\n\nMy favorite is that folks will be sent to jail for longer sentance for tax evasion than for a robbery & assualt or even rape.
409352
Perhaps because if the penalty for rape or other sex offenses becomes too close to that for murder, offenders might see sense in making sure that their victims are unable to ever give evidence against them.\n\nDead men (and women & children) tell no tales......\n\nIf you are the offender, going to be sent to prison for ever (or executed) for the sex offence, you have ZERO reason not to comit murder too. You can only be executed once or serve one lifetime in prison.
470925
I soooo totally agree with you. I first want to say my condolences to you. Second, my friend was shot by her ex and yes, they do treat the murderer better. They treat them too good. Even if they get time and go to prison they get cable and all kinds of extra things...I understand the whole innocent until proven guilty but, it seems with some cases that is not the case and other cases they let the person get by with everything. I worked for a lawyer for 6 years and so I know a lot about the prison system and the jail system. Its not what it should be... Murderers should all be sentenced to death. I think an eye for an eye and like you said, you cant hug your sister so why should the murderer be allowed to hug anyone let alone talk to anyone....
175574
I think you pretty much answered your own question: Because they are psychopaths. Like the other post said though, what comes around always goes around. People that commit harm against others no matter how large or small, will eventually be made to confront and deal with what they did. It may not even be in this lifetime, but karma has a way of coming back on everyone. NOONE is exempt from it if they know what they are doing is wrong.