<P> The prisoners are hereby excluded from the protective benefits of standard clothing items with their uncovered feet exposed to the obstacles of the surrounding area . A lack of protection can alone have a victimizing effect and make the person feel vulnerable . The reluctant exposure can aggravate the perception of being powerless or helpless usually experienced in situations of incarceration or captivity . Beating a prisoner's bare feet can hereby drastically escalate his or her emotional distress and mental suffering . </P> <P> Foot whipping therefore poses a distinct threat and is often particularly dreaded by potential victims (usually prisoners). Exploiting the effects this penalty is typically used to maintain discipline and compliance in prisons . </P> <P> Bastinado is commonly associated with Middle and Far Eastern nations, where it is occasionally executed in public, therefore covered by occasional reports and photographs . However it has been frequently practised within in the Western World as well, particularly in prisons, reformatories, boarding schools and similar institutions . </P> <P> In Europe bastinado was a frequently encountered form of corporal punishment particularly in German areas, where it was mainly carried out to enforce discipline within penal and reformatory institutions, culminating during the Third Reich era . In several German and Austrian institutions it was still practised during the 1950s . Although bastinado has been practiced in penal institutions of the Western World until the late 20th century, it was barely noticed as there is no reference to ever being adjudged on a high level . Instead it was carried out on a rather low level within the confines of the institutions, typically to punish inmates during incarceration . If not specifically authorized the practice was usually condoned, while happening unbeknown to the public . Also foot whipping hardly attracts public interest in general as it appears unspectacular and relatively inoffensive compared to other punishment methods . As it was not executed publicly in the western world, it came to be witnessed only by the individuals directly involved . At this former prisoners rarely communicate incidents as bastinado is widely perceived as a degrading punishment (see public humiliation), while former executants are usually obliged to confidentiality . </P>

To beat with a stick on the soles of the feet