Crime and Punishment in Colonial America.
Society's outlook on crime and punishment in colonial America was much different from what it is now. For crimes the people of society committed, the punishments were much harsher, and the things we would think of today as diminutive, were considered huge acts of deviance. Most laws set up in colonial America were based strictly upon religion, therefore anyone to do anything such as protest, or speak out against God, would be penalized and severely punished. .
First of all, imagine in today's society, if someone were to commit what is known as breaking and entering. This would consist of forcing their way into someone's home, and in most cases, stealing from them. What is the penalty for that? Someone who was to do this would be tried in court, and if found guilty, faced with felony charges and possible jail time depending on the situation. Now say that person escaped from jail. If they were caught, their sentence would be increased. In colonial America, a situation like this would be taken much more seriously. Consider the following; Henry Spencer, a slave in April of 1665, escaped from his master. After escaping he stole from him a coat, bibles, and cloth among other things. He was taken to court and fined 5 pounds. He was also forced to pay his former master for loss of work time. He was, upon paying the fines, being sent to a prison in Boston until his master could "dispose of him". However, Spencer decided to flee. He was caught and detained, and as punishment, branded with the letter "B" on his forehead. The point of relaying this story is to show you how society viewed criminals such as him. This man was treated this way, not only because of the crime he committed, but also because he was a black slave, and therefore viewed.
as contemptible. .
In my opinion, in the earliest of colonial America, society's punishments were based solely on the benefits of the superior members of society.
