History of Stocks in Timeline

Stocks were a form of physical punishment and public shaming devices used to restrain a person's feet. Evidence indicates use in Ancient Greece where Solon's law code described the confinement of feet in stocks for five days. The purpose was to punish individuals while subjecting them to public humiliation.

1989: Dermott Curfew Law and Stocks Punishment

In 1989, the Arkansas town of Dermott passed a curfew law that included punishment of up to thirty days in jail for offenders and up to two days in the stocks for the offender's parents. However, the city quickly remitted the punishment because they lacked a set of stocks and had no funds allocated for building one.

2012: Adultery Punishment in Colombia

In 2012, in Colombia, Alfreda Blanco Basilio and Luis Martinez were placed in stocks by the Sampues tribe due to Basilio's adultery. Basilio spent 72 hours barefoot in the stocks for her offense.

2016: Thame Proposal to Build Stocks

In 2016, the British town of Thame considered a proposal to build stocks for hire and charitable events. Councillor David Bretherton suggested using them for charity, with people donating money for the time individuals spent in the stocks while being tickled and having syrup poured on them. The legality of stocks in England was noted, but they would not be used for actual punishment. Further study was ongoing.

2020: COVID-19 Quarantine Violators Placed in Stocks

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, police in Chinu, Colombia, placed residents who broke quarantine in stocks for a few hours as a form of punishment.