Social shaming

Posted at 3:18 PM on August 11, 2011 by Bob Collins (9 Comments)
Filed under: Crime and Justice, Tech

Talk about swift justice. Manchester police have not only already gotten convictions of people arrested in this week's riots in the UK, they're also using Twitter to publicly shame them.

Check out the punishments being handed out. Four months for stealing a violin. Four months for swearing...

The constabulary is also using Flickr to try to identify people who may have also been involved in the rioting. They plan to use facial recognition software in the effort.

And the police organization's Facebook page is being used for people to provide tips about the rioters.

So far, it's going over big with the masses...

Would this idea work here?

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Comments (9)

"Julie Jules: I am loving all the people who have been caught and sentenced for being named and shamed"

Indeed Jules. There is no better justice served than when the perpetrator becomes publicly known.

Posted by lucy | August 11, 2011 3:43 PM

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Being shamed was a major part of discipline for me as a child. I think it works, as long as one understands why what they have done is shameful. They also have to realize their redeaming qualities, so that they can use those next time, if presented with the same situation, in order to avoid shame.

I am certain almost everyone has been ashamed of something they have done at some time in their lives. It is a learning opportunity.

Posted by Karisa | August 11, 2011 3:57 PM

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If shame is in fact an effective way to improve future behavior, how about bringing back some type of pillory?

Research would of course be necessary, but we do know that incarceration mostly teaches people to be better criminals when they are eventually freed.

Posted by Jim Shapiro | August 11, 2011 6:56 PM

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They didn't shame them per se, but U of M police did a similar thing in 2009 during the Dinkytown "riot", at least with the facial recognition aspect.

Posted by Tim | August 11, 2011 7:04 PM

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//If shame is in fact an effective way to improve future behavior, how about bringing back some type of pillory?

or serving refreshments at all of Michelle Bachman's upcoming public apprearances.

Posted by luvy | August 11, 2011 7:18 PM

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luvy (lucy?) -

That would be cruel and unusual punishment.

Posted by Jim Shapiro | August 11, 2011 7:25 PM

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whhoooops. a slip of the fingers can leave a wrong impression. : 0

ok, then how 'bout wearing the flute of shame!!!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2008/jun/02/thewindofchange

aha!

Posted by luCy | August 11, 2011 7:43 PM

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lucy -

Do you know if they make 'em in concertinas? If so, I've figured out the perfect xmas gift for a certain relative...

Posted by Jim Shapiro | August 11, 2011 8:03 PM

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Goodness Jim! I had to look up what a concertina was!
Why it's a squeeze box. Horrible playing could keep a fella up all night!

"I think it works, as long as one understands why what they have done is shameful. They also have to realize their redeaming qualities, so that they can use those next time, if presented with the same situation, in order to avoid shame."

in the case of the concertina it might be- too- that needs to understand why what they had done was shameful
- but what do I know?

Posted by lucy | August 11, 2011 9:57 PM

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