SCIENTIFIC MAXIMUM SHISHI (SMS): THE UNTOLD STORY

Defining the discourse

The topic before us is an interesting one. However, for an objective discourse to be achieved, we must understand the terms as they apply.

To start with, what is Scientific Maximum Shishi, popularly known as SMS?

It is, in dictionary terms, the use of corporal punishment to punish crimes. The crimes in this context are social vices.

Social vices are acts, activities and habits that are generally considered immoral, wicked and unacceptable. There is always the desire in any sane community to curb such acts. In this context, it refers, but not limited, to larceny, rape and physical assault.

Curbing, in this case, does not mean to stop. This is because, given the human peculiarities, such acts cannot be stopped totally. It is an attempt to reduce the frequency of such acts to minimum degrees.

Scientific Maximum Shishi (SMS)

The Scientific Maximum Shishi (SMS) was conceived out of a desire to curb social vices in the OAU students’ community internally. Offenders, caught or alleged, were beaten mercilessly by students with leather belts, and reportedly wires and taut ropes. This form of punishment, at a time, gained popularity among the student populace due to its speedy execution and seemingly transparency.

Proponents of SMS have argued that it instilled fear into possible offenders, made the offender regret his crime and served justice to all concerned. It was further argued that bodily pains and the resultant scars would forever remind the offender to desist from such dastardly acts.

SMS has been practiced for so long that it has become part of the OAU students’ community culture. Any one alleged for committing any crime is being interrogated with plans for SMS if such an offender confesses to the crime or, should he refuse to admit to his crimes, it is proven beyond all reasonable doubt that such a person committed the crime.

In recent times, this form of punishment has come under serious criticism, and for good reasons. These would be summarised under the following paragraphs.

SMS does not correctly equate the crime with the punishment. The beatings are executed with an almost disregard to the gravity of crimes committed. A rapist and a phone thief would almost certainly be subjected to the same degree of punishment. This has raised concern for many as far as justice is concerned.

Furthermore, the assumption that the punished (injured) offender would be less likely prone to commit other crimes is yet to be proven right. In fact, it is held in some quarters that severe corporal punishment increases the likelihood of further criminal acts, usually planned on a larger scale. This is also advanced by the fact that despite the continuous utilization of SMS, crimes are still being reported in the OAU students’ community.

Moving further, the physical and psychological consequences are grievous for alleged offenders who are later found to be innocent of crimes they were alleged to have committed. More often than not, executors of SMS would leave their victims with bone reaching scars and psychological trauma.

Another criticism is the manner with which suspects are confirmed guilty. It has been reported that for those not caught in the act, confessions are taken under duress, accompanied by intimidation and coercion. This does not tally with the intellectual attribute the campus community claims to reflect. It has been termed by many as “civilised jungle justice”.

There is also the accusation that its application lacks transparency. It was reported in recent times that those who were close to the centre would always receive a softer reprimand when accused of such social vices that would ordinary result in the execution of SMS for “unprivileged” offenders.

Alternative to Scientific Maximum Shishi (SMS).

Evident from preceding paragraphs, SMS has lost its effectiveness and inevitably its popularity as far as many students are concerned. While this cannot be gainsaid, there is still the need to curb social vices in a way that would deter possible offenders, punish offenders and yet avoid the shortcomings of SMS.

Several alternatives have been proposed that would effectively curb social vices if executed correctly and transparently. These alternatives, for the purpose of this discourse, are parading, community service and involvement of the school authorities.

Parading, which has always been part of SMS, is one veritable way of deterring social vices. In this, the offender(s) is paraded in all hostels of residence, male and female alike. The psychological effects exerted on the offender through public shame has a tremendous effect in curbing crimes, particularly on would-be offenders.

Another is community service. This refers to unpaid work for the community performed by any offender found guilty of crimes alleged to have been committed as an alternative to SMS. Examples of community service include social work, environmental cleanup, amongst others.

The involvement of the school authorities in dealing with offenders is a recent influx in the alternatives to SMS. The school authorities might, as an act of punishment, suspend the offenders for a semester and warn that subsequent crimes would attract a longer suspension or even expulsion.

In conclusion, it is obvious that SMS has outlived its effectiveness. It does not adequately serve justice, cannot be proven to deter embryonic offenders and has been applied unequally. There are other options that should be employed to curbing social vices in the OAU students’ community.

But then, what do I know?

Egedegbe Gracious

(IamTheGray)

200 level, Dept of English

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