History of Stocks in Timeline
Stocks, a device used for corporal punishment and public humiliation, have been around since ancient times, with evidence suggesting their use as early as Ancient Greece. The Athenian law code under Solon included the use of stocks, as documented by the orator Lysias. The stocks were essentially wooden restraints used to immobilize an individual's feet for a designated period as a form of punishment.
1989: Dermott, Arkansas Curfew Law
In 1989, the town of Dermott, Arkansas passed a curfew law that included the unusual punishment of up to two days in the stocks for the parents of offenders. However, the punishment was quickly revoked, partly because the town did not possess stocks and had not budgeted for their construction.
2012: Adultery Punishment in Colombia
In 2012, in the Sampues tribe of Colombia, Alfreda Blanco Basilio, a 34-year-old married woman, was punished for adultery with 18-year-old Luis Martinez. The punishment involved being confined to stocks for 72 hours barefoot.
2016: Thame, England Stocks Proposal
In 2016, the town of Thame, England, considered a proposal to build stocks for rent and charitable events. Councillor David Bretherton suggested using the stocks for fundraising, with people paying to throw things at those locked in. While the stocks would technically be legal, the proposal emphasized their use for entertainment rather than punishment. The proposal was still under consideration as of the last update.
2020: Stocks as Punishment During COVID-19 in Colombia
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, police in Chinu, Colombia, resorted to using stocks as a punishment for residents who violated quarantine measures. Offenders were typically confined for a few hours.