Missouri judge orders criminals to stand on 'corner of shame' holding signs instead of serving time

Would you rather go to jail or face public humiliation?

That is the choice that criminals in a small Missouri town are getting to make - thanks to a new policy.

The proposal, introduced by Judge Richard Skouby, allows offenders in Belle to stand on a downtown 'corner of shame' to avoid prison time.

Once there, they must hold a sign describing their crimes for two hours in front of their neighbors, friends, tourists and other residents.
Although they still must pay fines, this form of punishment enables them to avoid a contempt charge.
The public shaming is akin to that used in Nathaniel Hawthorn's 1850 work The Scarlet Letter, whereby Hester Prynne is forced to wear a scarlet 'A' on her chest.

Click here for the full story from the Daily Mail Online