[5401] in Central_America
Re: New quotes for Tue Apr 12
sethf@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (sethf@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Tue Apr 12 20:15:52 1994
This speaks for itself:
From: jodi731@utxsvs.cc.utexas.edu (Werner J. Severin)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore
Subject: Re: Caning in Singapore
Followup-To: soc.culture.singapore
Date: Sat, 02 Apr 1994 10:38:41 -0600
Organization: Univ. of Texas at Austin
Lines: 90
Message-ID: <jodi731-020494103842@slip-3-2.ots.utexas.edu>
References: <2nj1un$oja@nuscc.nus.sg>
In article <2nj1un$oja@nuscc.nus.sg>, law00138@leonis.nus.sg (Hoo Cher
Liek) wrote:
[From: law00138@leonis.nus.sg (Hoo Cher Liek)]
[Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore]
[Subject: RE: Caning in Singapore]
[Date: 2 Apr 1994 06:05:11 GMT]
[Organization: National University of Singapore]
[Lines: 44]
[Message-ID: <2nj1un$oja@nuscc.nus.sg>]
>
> With all the current hub over Mr Micheal Fay and caning, this writer
> thought it might interest all to know just how caning in Singapore is
> carried out. This account is from a prison officer some years ago, and is
> to the best of the writer's memory.
>
> Firstly, the prisoner is examined to see if he is fit to be caned. The
> caning takes place in the prison itself, in a room. The prisoner is
> stripped naked and tied to a special X-shaped rack. He is not gagged so
> that his screams can be heard by the rest of the prisoners. The caning
> takes place behind closed doors and is generally not open to viewing.
>
> The cane, or ratan, is literally made to order. It is usually about three
> feet long and about half an inch thick. Before the sentence is executed,
> the cane is dipped in a special chemical to ensure maximum effect.
>
> The executor is no ordinary person. He is specially chosen and must have
> qualifications in martial arts. He practices caning regularly, so that
> his positioning and stroking is extremely precise to have maximum effect.
> The cane stroke usually ends up at the exact spot as the previous, and is
> inflicted on the buttocks. In the process itself, the executor uses not
> just his arm, but his entire body weight. Technique is crucial.
>
> The first stroke breaks the skin. Even the most hardened criminals is
> known to scream. Usually, by the third stroke, the accused passes out and
> has to be revived. A doctor is always present and must examine the
> accused after every stroke to ensure that he is capable of carrying on.
> The time interval between each stroke is around 30s to 1 minute. Wherever
> possible, the entire sentence is carried in one flogging to achieve
> maximum effect. Where that is not possible, the prisoner is allowed
> reprieve until such time that he is deemed fit to carry on. Because of
> the chemical applied on the cane, the marks are permanent and cannot be
> removed. By law, the maximum no of strokes that can be passed in
> sentence is 24.
>
> As can be seen, the whole process is carried out to obtain maximum pain
> and deterrent effect.
>
> This writer expresses no opinion as to the rightness or otherwise of
> caning, or whether Mr Fay deserves it, or whether the Americans are right
> in trying to interfere in the matter. This account is purely descriptive
> and for the benefit or otherwise of all parties interested in the whole
> thing.
The following is part of a news item from the March 21 Voice of America--
TEXT: BUT FOR ESTRELLITA JONES OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP,
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, WHAT IS AT STAKE IS NOT AN
ACADEMIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
SINGAPORE OVER PHILOSOPHIES OF JUSTICE. AMNESTY SAYS
THE CASE REFLECTS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT NOT TO ENDURE
PUNISHMENT THAT MS. JONES SAYS AMOUNTS TO
STATE-SANCTIONED TORTURE.
TAPE CUT TWO JONES
"CANING IS A CRUEL, INHUMAN AND DEGRADING FORM OF
PUNISHMENT. IT CLEARLY VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL NORMS.
SINGAPORE HAS FOR YEARS HAD ON ITS BOOKS MANDATORY
INFLICTION OF CANING FOR CERTAIN CRIMES, INCLUDING
VANDALISM BEING ONE OF THEM WHICH THIS YOUNG AMERICAN
HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH. HUNDREDS OF CITIZENS OF SINGAPORE
HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF THIS BEFORE THE YOUNG AMERICAN BOY
AND HUNDREDS WILL BE INFLICTED WITH THIS PUNISHMENT
AFTER HIM, UNFORTUNATELY."
TEXT: MS. JONES REMEMBERS THE TRAUMA REPORTED BY ONE MAN WHO
CAME TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AFTER SEVERAL STROKES OF
THE CANE.
TAPE CUT THREE JONES
"HE WAS SHIVERING AND PERSPIRING WITH FEAR JUST BEFORE.
AND THEN DURING THE CANING, HE REMEMBERS HE FELT IT WAS
LIKE A TEARING ACROSS HIS BUTTOCKS. HE TALKED ABOUT HOW
HE SCREAMED LIKE A MAD ANIMAL AND HOW BASICALLY, IT
LEAVES HUMONGOUS [FESTERING] AND HUGE SCARS ON HIS
DERRIERE. IT SWELLED TO TWICE ITS SIZE AND HE WAS NOT
ABLE FOR WEEKS AND WEEKS TO WEAR CLOTHING. THE
TREMENDOUS BRUISING BLACK AND BLUE OF THIGHS. AND HE
SAYS TO THIS DAY HE STILL HAS NIGHTMARES ABOUT IT. THIS
HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS SEVENTEEN. HE'S NOW OVER 40. THIS
ISN'T JUST A LITTLE SPANKING. (BEGIN OPT) THIS IS TRULY
TRAUMATIC. IT MAY BE EASY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, 'OH, THIS
IS SIMPLY A LITTLE PAIN AND IT'LL GO AWAY.' IF ONE HAS
UNDERGONE IT, I THINK ONE CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND THE
CRUELTY OF IT. (END OPT)"
