Depending on how it's done, that could easily be fatal.

Yeah, Singapore limits it to 24 total, and most people only get 3, 6 tops.

At that point it's not even about punishment of the person, this is just straight up making an example.

There is no such thing as a legitimate form of punishment

Penal systems exist for correction, not punishment. The idea of a sentence is how long you need to separate that individual from society, with access to excellent mental health professionals and various forms of therapy, before they can safely return to society.

Punishment doesn't correct people.