be a part of the criminal justice system. I was reading an article today about how murders for juveniles are up 21% this year, and there is a correlation between violent rap and increased crime. If wearing time like a badge of honor is helping to embolden and encourage the image of a criminal "thug" shouldn't we try to counter this phenomenon with our punishments? Like should we do something to people who commit crimes so it is embarassing for them? Like would this thug lifestyle be so glamourous if in addition to your sentence, you had to wear a pink tutu in public for a month? It might be deemed "unusual" but I bet you it would work, and thats the most important test of a good punishment.

11/10/2005 1:46:44 PM

only naked.

11/10/2005 1:51:00 PM

i wish punishments fit the crime. we only do it for death though.

11/10/2005 1:51:43 PM

I mean, it is an ever increasing problem and all options should be on the table. Some might call it "cruel and unusual", but I think the way these people are terrorizing our cities is cruel and unusual.

11/10/2005 2:01:30 PM

Quote :

"here is a correlation between violent rap and increased crime"

Point me to it, please.

11/10/2005 2:18:40 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051110/lf_nm/life_snitching_dc_8

11/10/2005 2:20:58 PM

Nowhere in that article does any such correlation appear.

11/10/2005 2:22:47 PM

the problem is we assume everything is equally embarrassing to everyone that would receive said punishment. obviously the same could be said for prison, but the point of that (partially) is to keep them out of our hair for some years.

11/10/2005 2:23:46 PM

Quote :

"The rise of the "stop snitching" culture comes as violent crime among juveniles in the United States is rising. Federal Bureau of Investigations data showed a 2.4 percent drop in the murder rate in 2004 compared to 2003, but the number of juveniles arrested for murder rose by more than 21 percent over the same period. "

11/10/2005 2:26:55 PM

that 1 or 2 year span really says a lot about that.... cuz violent rap hasnt been around since the mid-late 80's or early 90's.

11/10/2005 2:36:26 PM

you don't have a correlation because you haven't controlled for confounding variables. maybe the war in Iraq is causing young people to become violent or the unusually hot summer or some unknown? (just tossing shit out here people...don't take me litterally 'cause I know some dumbass with an axe to grind will).


from a criminologist's point of view, embarrasing punishment could theoretically backfire. it's quite common for a downtrodden minority to take a derrogitory oppression and turn it into a symbol of power. there's also very little scientific evidence that embarrasment works. I think you'd have trouble enforcing the policy and in the case of a jeuvenile, the punishment might have a chilling effect on school attendance. overall I'd say that idea is pretty flawed though it is tempting from a revenge standpoint...people like seeing others get embarrased. it'd make for a good symbolic punishment but in my oppinion, would have little real effect.

11/10/2005 2:43:55 PM

i hear that ice cream sales and violent crimes are correlated, too...

11/10/2005 3:11:10 PM

where is that bitch pryderi posted...ima throw a cabbage at her.

11/10/2005 3:14:58 PM

well at a minimum, police are finding it nearly impossile to prosecute violent crimes in urban areas because of the rise of the "no snitching" culture that is being espoused by hip hop

11/10/2005 3:16:02 PM

you know

people beat the shit out of snitches long before hip hop existed

11/10/2005 3:22:47 PM

Anyone remember the mainstream New York media reaction to sammy the bull snitching?

11/10/2005 3:48:22 PM

correlation != causation

11/10/2005 3:59:03 PM

Beat up a snitch? WTF no. Maybe if they told on you in class and you missed recess.

Snitches swim the the fishes.

11/10/2005 5:20:37 PM

Criminals should be handled in a way that minimizes the potential for future crimes, either by the individual or others. Judges and juries should do their best to decide what that course of action is. If it appears that humiliation will prevent the person and/or other people from committing that or any other crime again, use it.

11/10/2005 6:41:00 PM

cut off thumbs

thatll decrease the chance of a second offense

11/10/2005 7:56:44 PM

Never heard much evidence to that effect.

The way most likely and least damaging to prevent repeat occurences is not always (indeed, rarely is) the harshest punishment available. It really should be a case-by-case thing.

11/10/2005 8:56:07 PM