"Display minor criminals and anti-social people in a perspex case (modern version of stocks or pillories)within the community they have offended in. Let it be safe, so they cannot be seriously harmed; but just humiliated in front of their peers. If they have harrassed an old couple - for example - let that old couple be the first to throw wet sponges at them (provided by the council/cheaper than a night in the cells). A security guard could be on site to prevent damage to the case and the person inside it. It will work better than Asbo's as no-one will want it repeated! Hard to see the acclaimed cudos on this one."
This petition makes my liberal principles flinch again but then I think - no, hang on - why do I think this would be a breach of human rights or some such thing? Why do I think it's a bad idea?
I suppose one has to raise the question of what a sentence is for: punishment, rehabilitation, deterrence, etc. Broadly speaking the concept of "punishment" bothers me somehow; I know this is unrealistic and unreasonable so I tend to just not think too hard about it. Certainly something like this pillorying is going to serve no rehabilitative purpose (well, I can't see how it can, anyway) - but then, the theory is that ASBOs and such aren't really for the easily-rehabilitated. And the petitioner may be on to something as far as deterrence goes.
It's probably madness. It sounds like some kind of dreadful reversion to the middle ages. And yet ... it's a curious idea ...
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