Platform : Flogging: ‘Does It Really Deter Anything?’

Letters from newspaper readers and broadcast interviews indicate that many Americans agree with Singapore’s decision to flog an Ohio teen-ager convicted of vandalism. Would that be an appropriate punishment here for graffiti tagging and like crimes? The following is a sampling of views.

HOWARD GARBER

Interim director, American Civil Responsibilities Union, Anaheim

We have been afflicted by a pervasive permissiveness unequaled in our history and, as a result, have been on a downward spiral morally and sociologically, despite record anti-crime and welfare expenditures.

The ACRU submits that punishment is not the solution, rather we must challenge those promoting unrestricted freedom, which is really license to disrupt and destroy orderly society.

KATIE WAITMAN

Secretary, Santa Monica

I don’t think flogging would be particularly effective because, like high-school swatting, it basically breeds resentment. Does it really deter anything? A lot of the people who are committing petty crimes were beaten themselves while growing up. It’s just more of the same. I’ve always thought it’s more effective taking away privileges, especially if you’re dealing with kids. Beating their bodies gives a really bad signal: It says, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say.” That’s silly.

PAUL JONES

Community Youth Gang Services, South-Central Los Angeles

When you look at such things as flogging and corporal punishment in dealing with some of the kids and their behavior, what gets overlooked time and again is are we really addressing the root causes of what makes kids do what it is they’re doing?

It seems to me that we are looking for easy ways to solve problems that have been with us for God knows how long. It’s quite obvious to me that many youths are getting in trouble and doing all kinds of crazy things because they haven’t got anything else to do. Some years ago we used to have about 135 teen posts in L.A.; now maybe we’ve got four or five. I think that speaks for itself in terms of kids and idle time.

CHARLES WHITEBREAD

Professor, USC Law Center

Flogging sounds so severe to me. My own view is, though, that a number of punishments that are quick and don’t have a stigma to them might make sense. Might corporal punishment be added to the range of penalties under the criminal justice system? It would probably be lawful to do so.

It seems to me the question is whether or not we want to try a variety of short punishments which might include corporal punishment instead of our present use of prisons, something I find very unsuccessful. I’d be willing to experiment with a variety of penalties.

MARK SINAGUGLIA

Owner, Mayflower Ballroom, Inglewood

Corporal punishment has its place for children, teen-agers who made a mistake in school. I do not believe that corporal punishment would be good for adults. They’ve gone beyond that point. I think jail sentences should be given and adhered to: If you commit a crime, you do the time. Monetary restitution should be mandatory, along with community service.

ROBERT GALLEGOS

Teacher, Belvedere Middle School, Los Angeles

I am most strongly opposed to incorporating corporal punishment either into the school system or society at large for misdemeanor crimes. I’m against the flogging of the American teen-ager in Singapore simply because I’m opposed to the flogging of any human being under similar circumstances.

If America were not so outraged at its own inability to control graffiti, American sentiment would have immediately condemned this flogging incident.