Should LEO's in the USA be allowed to administer 'canings'?

Question

What would you think of enacting laws that would allow certified police officers to administer a split cane rod whipping to subjects convicted of thefts, shoplifting, gas-drive-off's, vandalism, and such crimes? Say we limit it to three to five blows and require the officers to constrain their blows so as not to break bones or cause permanent damage. Is that too medevil or is it an old remedy whose time is ripe again?

Answer 1

Seeing as I am going to school to become a LEO, and that I have long believed kids need spanked in schools, yes, I do believe this might be a good remedy. However, there are also bad apples everywhere, including in the Law Enforcement community. So, there may be some over-zealous officers who particularly do not like a certain defendant, and decide to try to strip flesh from bone.

Answer 2

The modern criminal justice system is not intended to punish so much as rehabilitate. Punishing the body hails back to a day where these crimes were transgressions against the will by the animalistic irrational body that had to be corrected in a manner that beat down the body, allowing the rational will to take hold. Split cane rod whippings are just as outdated as this psychology.

Answer 3

That would be cruel and unusual punishment. Besides, police officers are only supposed to "enforce" the law, not determine innocence or guilt. That's for the judge or jury to decide based on the facts the arresting officer and other witnesses provide.

Answer 4

That's fine. But it must be done publicly. I'm also an advocate of bringing back the stocks and public hangings in the town square or city center. Crime will drop.

Answer 5

Count me in. Might stop some of this crap.

Maybe bring back public stockades as well.