Punishment by Humiliation?

Question

I watched Dr. Phil today, and there was a guest on his show that was a judge. And he would sentence offenders by holding signs and standing in public stating what they did wrong. A couple of kids spray painted '666' on a Nativity set in someone's yard. And was sentenced to walking a donkey with a sign on the animal saying something to the affect that they were 'jackasses'...(sorry about the lanuage, I didn't make it up.) But, these people didn't have a criminal record, didn't go to jail and/or prison. Some went on to college and never broke another law. Tell me what you think? Is humiliation a good method to prevent crime?

You can read more about it with these two links: Be honest, and think about it? Would you rather your child be humiliated and learn their lesson or go to jail and be a repeat offender? Do you think jail is better?

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/882
http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/3819/?id=3819&null=null

Answer 1

I think it's a great and creative idea, plus it probably saves money, because you're not paying for the person's jail stay. I'd be interested to see the rate at which humiliated people commit another crime compared to the rate at which people jailed commit another crime.

Going to jail may scare a few people, but it sure doesn't seem very effective in changing behavior. Often it makes it worse.

Answer 2

I think public humiliation is a good tool for teaching anyone the difference between right & wrong. For some people, jail is a waste of time. I have seen people go to jail and come out a lot worse than when they went in. They have all those criminals around them to teach them new ways to be criminals. They make all kinds of new contacts to commit more crimes. I have also seen people come out of jail better than when they went in. Some people think that being in jail is such a humiliating experience that they do not want to repeat what got them in there to begin with. Feeling humiliated is a reaction to feeling guilty. If someone doesn't feel guilty and embarrassed about what they did wrong, they won't feel humiliated about it.

Answer 3

It is an excellent punishment for a crime. Foolish pranks like spraypainting a nativity scene are usually caused by peer pressure, so dish some back out to the offenders. Have all the friends not involved laugh at him as he drags around a donkey. Should change them quite quick, until some ACLU lawyer comes in screaming cruel and unusual!!

Jail changes you, for the worse most often. I think some humilitation with community service would be the best option for pranks and nonviolent offenses like the one you mentioned.

Answer 4

Humiliation is a great motivator of change where as punishment may be a badge of honor that a person finished their sentence. There is nothing like making a over bloated person humble. So I agree to humiliate so that they can avoid having a record is a good tool. This also does not ruin their lives over getting work in the future causing resentments. Its too bad that stockaids in the center of town have been done away with.

Answer 5

I've seen that judge before and after listening to his reason for doing so I had to agree with him. I can't imagine how embarrassing it would be to have to stand on the side of the road holding a sign telling everyone what I did wrong. If it makes a difference to just one person then it works. It gives a whole new meaning to community service.

Answer 6

I don't think there's enough of it going on, sometimes being merely embarrassed has a better affect on people for punishment than jail or prison for the simple fact that some kids out there actually glorify jail and prison.

Answer 7

I think that is a great idea! I have seen in the newspaper (where I live) where a couple of moms did the same thing to their children. If my children do something thoughtless and stupid I want everyone to know about it. Now if they do something serious or harmful to somebody I am all for putting them in jail. Now don't get me wrong I love my children more than anything but if they do wrong they should be punished.

Answer 8

It does have a huge effect on people.

Imagine having to wear a big red A on the front of your shirt...

Imagine being held in a stockade in the middle of town square all day.. while people can walk by and toss crap at you... yell at you, make fun of you....

Imagine the theif, who without their right hand, can never sit at a social table and eat with people..

Humilition has always been a form of punishment in one form or another...

Our current system, does not humiliate the criminals. To some, serving time is a badge of honor on the street.

Now, imagine today...

If every dead beat dad, had to have a sign on his car & in front of his house, telling the world he does not support his children..

If the criminals you see picking up trash on the side of the road, had signage on their backs telling us what they did...


I have a friend, who got caught downloading movies etc, in his college dorm. He had to make signs & fliers to put around the campus speaking out against illegeal downloading. He also had to have a flyer, that says what he did, and why not do do it, and had to stand outside the main commons area, handing out the flyer for several days. This was in addition to the monitary fines the judge imposed.

Answer 9

I discount anything said or done by Dr. Phil. He is a TV talk show host first, and a second rate shrink. He cares only about being in control and ratings. (you should see his outtakes).

Punishment by humiliation does not work. It only ticks people off and puts them in a rage. Don't you think that going to jail for the average citizen is pretty humiliating in itself?

Answer 10

I think those are great ways to punish people. Our society seems to think it's wrong to feel shame about anything anymore. Shame and humility can really bring someone back to the straight and narrow.