Crime and Punishment in Saudi Arabia: Lashing, Beheading, and Other Unusual Punishments

• In Event: International Courts and Sentencing Processes

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, crime and violence rates are relatively low compared to other nations. This low crime rate is generally attributed to the country’s endorsement of and use of stiff and extraordinarily harsh punishments to deter offenders. For example, stoning, lashing, amputation, and beheading are some of the punishments in the nation’s toolkit. These forms of punishment may not be endorsed by other nations, and may be considered by human rights advocates as cruel and unusual. However, as cruel as they may appear to be to outsiders, their existence and/or use largely deter criminal activities. The current study examines hundreds of court cases and files across several court systems in Saudi Arabia to determine the extent to which juvenile offenders are punished in the country. Specifically, the analysis aims to explore the effects of several variables, including crime type, on sentencing decisions. Results from a series of analyses conducted shows that sentencing decisions in respect to juvenile cases are not made in a vacuum. The policy implications of our findings are discussed.

Authors

• Francis Boateng, University of Mississippi

• Daniel Pryce, Old Dominion University

• Hajed Alotaibi, Majmaah University