In defense of flogging

Given the choice between five years in prison and 10 lashes, which would you chose? Peter Moskos, a criminologist and former Baltimore police officer, claims that flogging (a form of corporal punishment, lashes with a whip to a person’s back) can be the more humane form of punishment. And it’s cheaper than housing white-collar criminals in prison or jail. In his new book In Defense of Flogging, Moskos argues that re-introducing corporal punishment into the U.S. justice system would save money on all levels of the highly cost-ineffective incarceration system; and it would allow non-violent criminals to go on with their lives without being stigmatized. Is corporal punishment a good idea? Should criminals be able to choose a beating over serving time?

Given the choice between five years in prison and 10 lashes, which would you chose? Peter Moskos, a criminologist and former Baltimore police officer, claims that flogging (a form of corporal punishment, lashes with a whip to a person’s back) can be the more humane form of punishment. And it’s cheaper than housing white-collar criminals in prison or jail. In his new book In Defense of Flogging, Moskos argues that re-introducing corporal punishment into the U.S. justice system would save money on all levels of the highly cost-ineffective incarceration system; and it would allow non-violent criminals to go on with their lives without being stigmatized. Is corporal punishment a good idea? Should criminals be able to choose a beating over serving time?

Guest:

Peter Moskos, author of In Defense of Flogging (Basic Books); criminologist and former Baltimore City police officer