Imprisonment: Individuals who persisted in denying the accusations of witchcraft could be imprisoned for an indefinite period. They might remain in jail until they either confessed or were eventually released due to a lack of evidence or changes in public opinion. The conditions in early modern prisons were often harsh, with poor sanitation and inadequate food, making imprisonment itself a significant punishment.
Torture: To extract confessions, accused individuals were sometimes subjected to various forms of torture or coercion. The most notorious method employed in Salem was "pressing," where heavy weights were placed on the chest of the accused to force them to admit guilt. Other forms of torture involved sleep deprivation, beatings, or the use of "witch pricking," where needles were inserted into the skin to find supposed "witch's marks."
Banishment: In some cases, those who maintained their innocence might have been banished from the community or the colony of Massachusetts Bay. Banishment served as a punishment while also removing perceived threats from society. Banished individuals would have to leave the area and were forbidden from returning, often under threat of death if they disobeyed.
Execution: If an accused individual refused to confess and was found guilty through the testimonies of others or spectral evidence, they faced the possibility of execution. During the Salem witch trials, the primary method of execution was hanging. Individuals convicted of witchcraft would be publicly hanged as a symbolic act of purification and as a deterrent to others.
It's essential to note that not all accused individuals were subjected to severe consequences. Some were released due to insufficient evidence, or their cases were dismissed. However, those who steadfastly denied the accusations often endured prolonged imprisonment, torture, or the ultimate punishment of execution.