Judicial corporal punishment

Judicial corporal punishment, such as whipping or flogging, is a physical punishment ordered by courts, which has declined globally due to human rights concerns. It remains practiced in some Islamic states and parts of the United States. Historically, it was common in British colonies and persisted in the U.S., with notable figures like George Washington advocating its use during the 18th century. The UK abolished judicial corporal punishment by 1948, while the U.S. saw its last use in Delaware in 1952. Many countries have abolished it post-WWII, though some former British territories and Islamic states still allow it. American criminologist Peter Moskos has advocated for its reintroduction as a judicial measure. The practice's history includes both enforcement and abolition efforts, with significant legal cases influencing its decline.