Look... clearly there are 2 camps here: those that are taking the OP seriously, and those that...aren't. I would say this... the fear I have about completely discounting OP is that newbies do often honestly think that THIS is really what BDSM punishment, or BDSM is, and that, folks, is a problem.

chrissysmurf, this is NOT what BDSM is suppose to be. Your BDSM experience doesn't sound exactly safe or sane--at least from what you've said. I very rarely like to "judge" people on what they do, because we're all so very different in what we like & don't like. However, in this case, I think it might be worth it to give a generalized warning.

BDSM is all about being safe, sane, consensual, and FUN. Being locked in a basement may not be inappropriate, depending on what the basement is like: there are some basements that are nicer than my house LOL. But then again, there are some pretty gruesome basements. So look, we don't know what this basement is like. But let's make a generalized statement here & say that the issue of locking someone in a space as punishment may be nonconsensual or unsafe, and the space in which you lock them into may also be unsafe: it really depends on the person & the relationship. You HAVE to talk about these things, and you have to talk about it BEFORE the situation comes up.

I think all too often, people read the BDSM fiction stories, and then think, "oh, ok, now I know how to be a Dom/sub/switch/top/bottom/etc." NO. NO NO NO. That's not how it works, folks. You need to read REAL, FACTUAL information, not just fiction literature. Fiction is fiction for a reason: it's there simply to enjoy as fun & fantasy and to wank off to at night when you're horny. It's not there to live your life as an example from.

I know people hesitate to give punishment ideas, or to give others advice. And I think it's because generally people think "whatever floats your boat" --and that's totally true. But it's also true that more experienced folks should occasionally step in & say "HEY. This is NOT right-- this doesn't sound right... it doesn't pass the smell test." There are a few in this thread that have done it--some more subtle than others. But this is part of our role as more "experienced" folks when newer members & less experienced BDSM folks come onto the site and into the lifestyle: we're here to educate, just like we're here to enjoy ourselves.

I will step off the soapbox now...

But chrissy, seriously... you should really think through your situation: does this even SOUND right to you? Does it SOUND sane & safe?