So, I wanna know what you think. Last night I was watching the Discovery Channel, of "You and me baby ain't nothing but mammals, let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel" fame, and I saw a rather interesting turn the judicial system has taken in Texas. Maybe y'all have heard of it? They call it public punishment, and it requires the criminal to parade up and down an extremely public street wearing their crimes on a sandwich board. Or toting it on a handheld picket sign. In lieu of hard time, for example, one drunk driver was required to carry pictures of the deceased in his wallet, place flowers on the graves monthly, and make public speeches about his experiences for ten years. And the sign. His read: I killed two people while drunk driving, or something equally damning.
Effective? Ineffective? Too lenient? Too harsh?
The argument is this: Placing people in jail doesn't force them to take responsiblity for their crimes. Sure, it takes away their freedoms, but they feel no PUBLIC shame. They're not subjected to any humiliation, which seems to have a last impression judging from the show's quote that offenders forced to undergo this punishment only repeated their crimes at a rate of 11%. Down from the 31% of those subject to "regular" judicial systems, meaning...JAIL. But you and I both know that just like egos, statistics can be stroked, and that's why I want to know what you think.
Barbaric? Genius? Insanity? What?
On a personal level, I was rather amused by this little voyage into the judicial absurd. It certainly seems effective, judging by the waterworks that our friendly neighborhood drunk driver was spouting as she was sentenced to "the row". Do I think it is effective? Absolutely. If the person cares what other people think of him or her - which I think many people do, inherently. Oh and don't give me that 'I don't care what people think about me" bullshit, because I don't buy it. If you've got a blog, I would definitely qualify your statement as farcical. Would this type of punishment work on Ted Bundy? Hmmmm, let me think...Not so much. And as long as there are those "I CAN CHANGE THEM!" delusionals writing to people in jail cells lookin for lub in all the wrong places, definitely not.
I WILL tell you this. I for one would rather have my stay in a cell than parade my sorry ass up and down a traffic packed boulevard sharing my crimes with the world for people to condemn. However, I also recognize that in committing a crime, I completely lose that choice. I think the judge is a rare gem. What say you?
Sounds like a bloody good idea to me :)
You're right that it wouldn't work on the truely evil criminals, but the ones that have a chance of reforming, get 'em out there. Bring back the stocks!
I'm with you: I'd rather do the time than parade up and down the street. In fact, I'd prefer to do the time and then move away to a town far away and pretend like it never happened. Which I think is the point - this judge never lets you forget the crime you committed. And I think he/she's right. They shouldn't ever forget (particularly the drunk driver bastard).
I'm all for it in cases where it seems like it would work, as long as it's accompanied by some sort of rehabilitative therapy (which prisons don't do enough of anyway, imo.)
and yeah, I'd rather do the time, too. how embarrassing, but I think that's the point.
Leave it to the Texans -- kinda reminds me of that Simpsons episode where the judge makes Homer and Bart spend their time shackled together.
Agree with everyone that it wouldn't really work on the evil folks -- but then again, what does?
It also saves taxpayer money.
Definitely wouldn't want to have to do it.
Genius! Sure that stat could be "stoked" but I'm betting it isn't that far off. I mean that is a hell of a deterant and probably saves the state a lot of $$ for not putting people in jail that would only get worse in jail.
I think it's a pretty good idea. I dont really have anything intellectual to say about it though, finals take all my smarts for a week or two. But if only we could just get those annoying cars with the loud speaker systems to carry around signs saying "I am an inconsiderate jerk who doesnt care if I blow outeardrums of innocent bystanders and wake up infants and toddlers from their much needed naps on the way home from grocery shopping while stopped at a stoplight. And I also dont care if my speakers are SOOOOO friggin loud that people 5 cars behind me can't even hear their own music" and hten force them to follow said car home with screaming child/children and deal with trying to put those kids BACK to sleep. Then I think ti would be GREAT. Marvelous. I hate base. i hate it. i hate it.
I'm a Texan. I'm very much for the idea...of course I like the Death Penalty for the really evil ones this wouldn't affect. :)