Corporal Punishment for Knife Crime

One of the biggest reasons why young people carry knives is a perceived need for self-protection. The question is, how likely is it they will fear being caned more than being mugged, beaten up, or stabbed on the street?

The majority of teenagers are honest, hard working and law abiding. They do not carry knives. Only a tiny minority, many of whom already have youth court convictions, possess these weapons. The excuse that they have them for self-defence is pathetic and cannot be justified. The only reason the teenage criminal fraternity carry knives is to use them either to intimidate or inflict serious injury on their victims. Police cautions, fines and short custodial sentences have failed to prevent knife crime. Corporal punishment is the only way to protect the public and make our streets safe again.

I'm still not convinced it would act as a deterrent for this crime in particular. If we reintroduced corporal punishment for a broader range of crimes, then it might have the effect of lowering the crime rate generally though.

I agree with Highnlonesom. Well-timed, thoroughly-administered corporal punishment could help lots of people, perhaps even young adults, though it would need to be so hideously painful that even an adult would "lose control" and cry or at least yell very bad, else it not take effect on his psyche the way corporal punishment should.