Legal Definitions - caning

Caning refers to a form of physical punishment where an individual is struck multiple times with a cane, typically crafted from rattan or a similar material. This practice is designed to inflict pain as a punitive or disciplinary measure, often targeting areas such as the hands, back, or buttocks. While historically prevalent in both educational and judicial systems, caning has been outlawed in many nations but continues to be a legal punishment in certain parts of the world.

• Criminal Justice System: In a country where corporal punishment is legally sanctioned, a person convicted of a serious property crime, such as defacing public monuments, might be sentenced by a court to receive several strokes of the cane in addition to a prison term or fine. This scenario illustrates caning as a formal judicial penalty for a criminal offense, imposed by the state's legal authority.

• School Discipline: Consider a private boarding school in a region where physical discipline is still permitted. If a student repeatedly engages in severe misconduct, such as bullying or truancy, the school's disciplinary committee might decide to administer a set number of cane strokes as a final warning and punishment for their persistent rule-breaking. This demonstrates caning being used within an educational setting as a means of enforcing discipline and deterring future misbehavior.