That's alot more complicated response than was my statement. LOL.
They had no problems maintaining civil order for many decades in this country. I think the shame of being a criminal has been largely lost in this society. For thieves and petty crimes, they should use public humiliation. How many car thiefs would re-offend if the sentence included being placed in stocks in front of the mall in pink underwear? How many hoodlums would be walking around looking to kill someone for being "dissed" if their buddies are hanging there, necks stretched and broken, in front of the courthouse.
You may look at it as the gov't exercising its power over the people. I look at it as society taking proper, and humiliating retribution against the filth that deserves no less.
Punishment for crimes should be punishment, not merely an inconvenience. People should be ashamed of being a criminal, so some level of humiliation seems appropriate to me, but not excessive humiliation.
Maybe put the criminal in the stock in a pink jumpsuit rather than pink underwear. :)
How many hoodlums would be walking around looking to kill someone for being "dissed" if their buddies are hanging there, necks stretched and broken, in front of the courthouse.
Not many and additional hangings would further reduce the ranks of those stupid and depraved enough not to learn from the mistakes of others.
Punishment of serious crimes should be harsh.
However, we must also break our government of it's habit of criminalizing every form of undesirable behavior.
Treat criminals like criminals, and society can deal with minor offenses and boorish behavior on it's own through ostracizing those who's behavior is unacceptable. But first we must get people to accept that some behavior is unacceptable rather than teaching tolerance of unacceptable behavior.