Two men, Leavon Williamson and Melvin Saunders, convicted of rape and robbery in separate incidents were each sentenced to a 25 year prison term and 12 strokes (six of cat-o’-nine-tails and six of the rod). One of the sentences of corporal punishment has been carried out. While acknowledging the seriousness of the crimes for which the men were convicted, AI opposes the imposition of corporal punishment on prisoners. AI is also concerned about the role of health professionals in the infliction of corporal punishment.
