The Editor, Sir:

THE SCRIPTURES (Second Timothy 3:1-5 and St Matthew 24:7) tell us what will happen now and in the last days.

Therefore, there is nothing that this present government can do to stem the flow of corruption in our society and in the world, in general.

I am not in agreement with hanging. I believe that whosoever is hanged whether suicidal or otherwise is condemned; so why destroy a life when it can be saved?

Public flogging

I think that public flogging should be re-enacted, for example, if a man is convicted of a drug crime in Brown's Town, St Ann, instead of imprisoning him for five or 10 years, send out a notice that Sammy Joe will be sentenced to four lashes of the whip at 8 a.m. in the town square, plus one-month community service.

Now tell me, after that public humiliation witnessed by friends, family, etc, will Mr Joe want to be caught in another drug bust? I think not.

A thief can get the same amount of punishment, but with three months community service plus gainful employment, in a given time or else.

For a murderer, instead of 10 years or life imprisonment costing the same family whose family member gets murdered to maintain him, sentence him to three or four months lashes.

For example, notify relatives of the slain victim first, then the public, that Mr Mention will be sentenced to four lashes of the whip on June 10, July 10, and August 10 in the town square at 9 a.m. each day.

Family maintenance

Additionally, if the murdered man had children, the convict should work and maintain that family by sending weekly allowances to that mother, via the court, until those children reach maturity, in the same way that father would provide for his family.

To me, I think that family would get more satisfaction from such a sentence because they would feel as if they took active part in his punishment and get some benefits too.

Also that murderer would think twice before committing another one. If he does, he should get the lethal injection where it is simple and merciful.

I am, etc.,

WINSOME CLARKE

winsomej71@hotmail