April 20.
George Hume's article on corporal punishment does not accurately
describe the severity of what is about to happen to Michael Fay in
Singapore (April 20).
In Hong Kong and Singapore the punishment is not administered by some
diminutive Chinese prison guard but by some Mongolian man-mountain.
A medical examination is carried out before the prisoner is strapped
naked to a vaulting box with a leather strap attaching each limb to the
box. Canvas pads are then attached to protect the kidneys and testes
from any badly-aimed blows. The prisoner's head is held by a doctor to
prevent serious reflex action and a possible broken neck.
Invariably all the blows land dead centre causing massive tissue
damage and the pain is likened to a branding iron. The prisoner is then
taken for medical attention after the last stroke.
How will Michael Fay, a teenage boy, react to the trauma? He should
have contemplated that before he went on a spree of vandalism in a
country which does not tolerate criminal activity.
Singapore can boast one of the lowest crime rates in the world (less
than 200 per year). The punishment is harsh but there is no doubt as to
its effectiveness.
Brian C. Massey,
Walden House,
Stewarton Road,
Glasgow.
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