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این یک عنوان است.

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Amir Razaqi

For years, society has witnessed the punishment of individuals in public places who have been sentenced in court. Regardless of whether some of these sentences have been issued correctly or not – which should be determined by legal experts and specialists – a question arises: Is the implementation of certain punishments such as execution, flogging, and parading in public places effective in reducing crimes and offenses? In this regard, there are three answers or perspectives. Some believe that public punishment causes those who are inclined to commit crimes and offenses to be afraid and refrain from doing so, and serves as a lesson for others. It also gives a sense of security and tranquility to society. However, another perspective, which is believed by many sociologists, psychologists, and social workers, argues that public punishment has negative impacts and consequences on society, including the spread of depression, causing psychological harm to children in the short and long term, eroding the sense of remorse, eliminating the stigma of crime among people and criminals, promoting a violent

Unfortunately, in Iran, there has not been a comprehensive investigation by sociologists and psychologists regarding public punishments, in order to precisely examine the type and functional direction of this type of punishment and determine all its effects and consequences. A major part of this weakness can be attributed to the negligence of the judicial and executive branches of the country, who have not conducted any expert work and have not sought scientific evidence. In developed countries, sociologists, psychologists, criminologists, etc. are considered as knowledgeable advisors and are given attention by governing systems and management centers, and are allowed to freely examine topics and actions from a scientific perspective, away from any ideological thinking. Their opinions and solutions are respected by all institutions and organizations, and their suggestions and solutions are implemented.

As society is a combination of structural elements and social structures that are closely intertwined, it is incorrect to have a one-sided view of the functions and actions carried out in society. In Iran, we are currently witnessing a decline in health at all levels of the economy, politics, and society. In such a society, public punishment itself is a factor in this decline of health. In a society where the statistics of crimes and social offenses are high, implementing such punishments in public not only does not reduce the rate of crimes and social offenses, but it also increases them. The statistics published by government agencies and experts themselves can be a testament to the fact that if these types of punishments were effective, we should have seen a decrease in crimes and social offenses, but instead we are witnessing an increase.

According to Michel Foucault, “the effectiveness of punishment is perceived as its inevitability, not its visible severity. What should prevent the commission of a crime is not the display of a repulsive punishment in public, but the certainty of punishment and retribution.”

Eliot Aronson says: “Research has shown that exposure to violent and aggressive scenes leads to an increase in aggression. Watching movies with violent content increases people’s tendency towards aggression. This reinforces a spirit of cruelty, revenge, hatred, and even a tendency to commit crimes.”

When in a society, individuals commit criminal acts (of economic, social, political, etc. nature), and the law is not enforced against them or is enforced in its weakest form, we find ourselves among a crowd of people who have gathered to witness the public punishment of the individual. Not only do we not feel a sense of security from this action, but on the contrary, we witness a feeling of compassion and sometimes a belief in the injustice done to the punished individual and hear whispers that question the law.

When a person is punished publicly for committing a crime that could have been corrected with proper planning and policy, their social status and identity as a criminal is established among friends, acquaintances, fellow citizens, or neighbors, and they accept this position. It becomes difficult or impossible to reform them, and in fact, the system creates a criminal who is capable of committing even more dangerous crimes.

In conclusion, Koutan states that by implementing such punishments, society will not regain its health unless those with bad intentions make a commitment to reform and restore the social, economic, and other infrastructures based on justice and health, and constantly seek advice and utilize the knowledge of experts and informed individuals.

In the judicial field, it is necessary to review the laws seriously with the research and opinions of legal experts, sociologists, psychologists, criminologists, etc. and make necessary amendments to the identified laws. The professionals in this field should strive for proper and fair implementation of the laws and play their role in restoring health to society in a desirable manner.