Colombia is revisiting the controversial practice of utilizing “prison ships” and public shaming as punishment for criminals, a strategy previously employed by former official Rodrigo de la Espriella. This approach, which included publicly humiliating offenders—such as forcibly shaving their heads on camera—is facing criticism for conflating punishment with genuine security. Experts argue this “hard hand” tactic has already proven ineffective in the past, failing to address the root causes of crime and instead fostering recidivism. The renewed use of these punitive measures raises concerns about human rights and the potential for further social instability. Critics suggest that focusing on rehabilitation and addressing socioeconomic factors would be a more sustainable and effective long-term crime reduction strategy. The re-emergence of these practices signals a return to a past policy widely deemed unsuccessful, prioritizing spectacle over substance.