This is just plain out cruel and inhumane. It is worse that putting a shock collar on a dog do make him quit barking. With prolonged exposure to this behavioral modification the dog becomes scared of his own shadow and rather than protecting his home he cowers.
Same with the electric fence for cattle. After prolonged conditioning to being shocked once it reaches the fence, should an animal of prey such as a wolf come up, the cow is subject to allow the wolf to kill him for the fear of being shocked is there if he attempts to escape danger.
For the most part people understand that shocking is cruel and inhumane. As far as the judge goes, they should pick a unit at random from a kid and strap it on him and allow the lawyer to push the button. I would almost guarentee that the judge would over turn his decision only after making the staff wear the units for a week and him pushing the button at his leisure.
When it comes to behavioral modification, TheWho is a big advocate of this. He claims football teams use it, and even parents when they disapline a child. I wouldn't be supprised if this is a method he would condone for modifying behavior.
And as far as the parents that support these tactics, they are only seeing the programs promises being delivered at any cost to the child.
