Argumentative Essay (Flogging)

Flogging, (or flagellation), is a type of judicial corporal punishment. It is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. From punishment to religion to satisfying one self’s pleasure, flogging can be performed for many reasons. In this case we are talking about flogging in the form of a punishment. In “Bring Back Flogging” by Jeff Jacoby, Jacoby argues that flogging should be brought back and used against criminals instead of jailing them. According to Jacoby, flogging was introduced by the Puritans and that we should learn from their methods. “Their sanctions were humiliating and painful, but quick and cheap.” (Jacoby). Jacoby claims that flogging is cheaper than jailing and that “we should readopt a few” of the ideas brought by the Puritans. Overall, I agree with Jacoby on his argument. In addition to the problem with over populated prisons, fogging is a cheaper and more effective than jailing. According to the United States incarceration rate, United States is the leader in jail population. In 2008, “one in every thirty-six adults is in prison” (Moore). Some 1.6 million Americans are behind bars today. That represents a 250 percent increase since 1980 (Jacoby). This is the result of American’s belief that jailing is the only option. From murder to drug dealing to being intoxicated on the streets, jailing has become our number one punishment. Furthermore, prisons are populated because jails have become “homes” for certain people such as the homeless. To the homeless, being in prison is similar to being in a hotel. They are provided a “room” with a bed to sleep in and three meals a day. The best part is that it’s free. In addition, prisons in California are already engaged in an extensive 7.7 billion plan to expand prison capacity and are overseeing another 7 billion in upgrading healthcare facilities for prison inmates (Wood). With such good “services”, prison has become a designated “home” for people who do not have a place