I’m going to propose a different speculation from the other answers -which have some truth - but I don’t think it’s that deliberate.
My guess is that it’s because prisoners are adults that can sue, claiming “cruel and unusual punishment”, and win. Kids generally won’t. We’ll maybe now they would, but less so back then.
Another issue is that despite the basic principle that they both involve “corporal punishment”, there’s a world of difference in methods and purpose between them. Guards weren’t using a paddle to sternly swat prisoners’ bottoms, and teachers in school (generally) weren’t using billy clubs and fists to beat the shit out of kids. Guards use it for instant compliance and control, teachers use it as (harsh) corrective instruction. Obviously there were exceptions but overall that was the case.
I’m going to propose a different speculation from the other answers -which have some truth - but I don’t think it’s that deliberate.
My guess is that it’s because prisoners are adults that can sue, claiming “cruel and unusual punishment”, and win. Kids generally won’t. We’ll maybe now they would, but less so back then.
Another issue is that despite the basic principle that they both involve “corporal punishment”, there’s a world of difference in methods and purpose between them. Guards weren’t using a paddle to sternly swat prisoners’ bottoms, and teachers in school (generally) weren’t using billy clubs and fists to beat the shit out of kids. Guards use it for instant compliance and control, teachers use it as (harsh) corrective instruction. Obviously there were exceptions but overall that was the case.