Final answer:
The usual form of punishment for Hester's crime is public humiliation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The usual form of punishment for Hester's crime in "The Scarlet Letter" is public humiliation. Hester Prynne is made to stand on a scaffold in front of the townspeople, wearing the embroidered scarlet letter "A" as a symbol of her adultery. This form of punishment aims to shame and isolate Hester, making her a visible reminder of her sin.