I was in my first year of graduate school. There was a requirement that we do a 9-month counseling practicum. I was assigned to an affiliated church camp for young male repeat offenders ages eighteen to twenty who had committed nonviolent criminal offenses.
The courts selected this particular group of offenders because they presented problems for the criminal justice system. They were past the age where they would be under the auspices of the juvenile justice system and were in the adult probation system. But all were facing probation revocation, which meant jail or prison time. So this was a second and last chance alternative.
In addition to learning respect for the law and social responsibility, the young men had real-world opportunities to learn skilled trades, earn a GED, study for college entrance exams and apply for college admission. Upon completing the program, hopefully, they will now become responsible and productive citizens. In addition, upon successful completion, their criminal records were deleted by the court.
In charge was fifty-year-old Reverend John, who was uniquely qualified. Before his ordination, he served in the military, was in combat, and worked ten years in civilian law enforcement. Reverend John was an imposing figure. He was a big, fit, and muscular man who could present himself in a stern, uncompromising manner or as a deeply caring and compassionate man depending upon the circumstances at the time.
The camp was a boot camp, educational facility, and church camp. We dressed all alike, cotton shorts and T-shirts with the camp's logo in warmer months and sweatshirts and sweatpants in colder months to promote cohesiveness.
The camp had strict rules and violations that resulted in various disciplinary methods, including loss of privileges, writing essays, being assigned extra chores, physical exercise, group confrontation, and corporal punishment when deemed necessary. In the case of serious violations, Reverend John could transfer jurisdiction back to the court for incarceration.
My job was to provide individual and group counseling and address rule violations. I would then escort the resident to Reverend John's cabin, consult with him, and he would decide the appropriate discipline.
Corporal punishment was rare. Residents were free to decline corporal punishment and chose instead to be returned to the criminal justice system, an option that no one selected. However, I was required to be present when it was to be employed.
Reverend John was a firm believer that paddling was a last resort but did serve a useful purpose. However, he believed it should give the violator plenty of time to consider his misbehavior.
He used a medium-weight ash paddle that produced severe stinging and burning but would not cause bruising during a prolonged paddling.
Reverend John ordered the miscreant to remove his shorts or sweat pants during the punishment. He would then administer the paddling on the standard-issue white cotton briefs.
Afterward, Reverend John would lower the young men's briefs in the back to check that their buttocks were sufficiently red but not bruised. What followed was corner time with their red bottoms still exposed to give them time to consider their behavior.
The young men returned to their dormitory with their briefs still lowered so others saw their red buttocks and would know the price they had paid for their "sins." Also adding an element of public humiliation.
It was not uncommon for young men to have visible erections and sometimes wet spots on the front of their briefs, which became even more apparent after corner time. Observing their discomfort during the paddling and corner time was a delightful and unexpected perk of my job.
While a strict disciplinarian, Reverend John was a very amiable fellow, well-liked by residents and staff. He and I got along very well. He and I would often dine together in his cabin, sip good brandy, and engage in conversation on various topics in the evenings.
On weekends most of the staff were off-campus, and Saturday afternoons were a free time for the residents.
An altercation broke out between a slightly built eighteen-year-old named Johnson and a much larger nineteen-year-old named Williams, who was a bit of a bully.
Johnson had given Williams the finger and told him to fuck himself. Williams retaliated by throwing Johnson down to the ground, yanking off his shorts and underwear, and slapping his bare buttocks in front of some other residents. He further humiliated Johnson by making him remain outside bare below the waist.
Word of this incident got to Reverend John. Williams came to Reverend John's cabin. I was present.
Initially, Williams tried to downplay the incident saying he thought it was funny and did Johnson no harm.
After a brief discussion with Reverend John Williams knew that this assault was a grave offense that wanted expulsion from the camp and returned to the court's custody. Williams would face two years in prison. However, he tearfully pleaded for this not to happen.
Overall he had a good record, and I did not want to see him expelled and advocated strongly for Williams.
After lengthy consideration, Reverend John told Williams he had a choice. He could either be expelled or submit to a prolonged paddling on his bare buttocks, after which he would be sent outside bare below the waist and apologize to Johnson and the other residents.
Given that Williams felt it was funny, he would have an opportunity to reassess his opinion.
Williams would remain that way the rest of the day, so all could see the price he paid to discourage other such incidents. Reverend John asked my opinion, and I told him it seemed to be an appropriate punishment that fit the crime. Desperately wanting to avoid prison, Williams agreed.
Before being paddled, young Mr. Williams had to stand at attention bare below the waist while Reverend John questioned and lectured him about his conduct. Naturally, Williams did not find this funny.
Perhaps as a result of fear, feelings of vulnerability are maybe adrenaline. Williams stood at attention with an erection the entire time. He was highly humiliated and embarrassed, becoming tearful. Reverend John made no mention of Williams's state of arousal. I found myself enjoying his predicament immensely.
During Mr. Williams' punishment, I was mesmerized as I watched his adorable butt go from white to pink to brilliant shiny red, undulating while listening to his pleas and then sobs.
