This document discusses shaming punishments as an alternative to prison time for certain crimes. It presents a case, United States v. Gementera, where a judge imposed conditions like visiting the lost mail window or writing apology letters instead of more jail time. It also lists examples of potential shaming punishments that aim to induce either shame or guilt for offenses like prostitution, slumlord activities, or drunk driving. These include posting personal details online, requiring attendance at educational events, or making offenders directly experience the consequences of their actions.
3. Discussion
Would you have imposed any of these conditions
(assume the alternative was more prison time)?
Judge Vaughn Walker
A = Yes
B = No
1. Visit lost or missing mail window
2. Letters of apology
3. Lectures at local schools
4. Signboard
4. Shaming or Guilting?
Shame Guilt
A
Post pictures of Johns
Display name and
phone number of
slumlord
Post pictures of DWI
offenders
B
“School for Johns”
Require slumlord to
spend night in slum
Require DWI offenders
to view autopsies
involving DWI victims
C = None
