The strecher for rape. Cutting off fingers for shop lifting. Iron maiden for murder.
Imagine there is a new idea to bring back "medieval" punishments for some crimes instead of building more jails. What ideas would you support? For what crimes?
I still say give a convicted child molester just one hour alone with the victims parents. No cameras. No laws. No mercy. Then if there is anything left of that piece of c**p throw them into a general population prison yard and let the inmates take care of the trash!
Shaming for crimes is already in place in most jurisdictions. It's called "having your picture posted by the media". Doesn't seem to work as a deterrent.
The problem with lopping off hands for crimes is ... How do you expect the person to get/hold a legitimate job afterwards? Most jobs need you to use both hands.
Of all the medieval punishments - I would favor banishment. Just cordon off a large chunk of undeveloped land, and send the people there. Let them build their own society or live in anarchy.
The taking of a life does no one honor.
(Future) Mind Repair.
So I find this interesting. Some of these tortures would seem to surpass the actual crimes themselves. In this, I mean the act itself would take a mentally unstable person, to execute on another individual.
I think it would be more humane to simply terminate the criminal outcasts, or let them fend for themselves on a remote deserted island.