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picodguyo | 3 years ago

Some of you may be too young to remember the context of this. In 1993, an American was sentenced to be caned for what would be considered minor offenses in America.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_P._Fay

There was a huge media frenzy in the run-up to the punishment. Then he got caned, had a sore bottom, and life went on.

discuss

order

paulpauper|3 years ago

It sounds bad, and it is, until you realize that he was stealing street signs, which is a crime in probably any country, not just Singapore. TBH, who decides to steal street signs in a foreign country?

Under the 1966 Vandalism Act, originally passed to curb the spread of political graffiti and which specifically penalized vandalism of government property,[1] Fay was sentenced on March 3, 1994, to four months in jail, a fine of S$3,500 (US$2,814 or £2,114 at the time), and six strokes of the cane.[6] Shiu, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to eight months in prison and 12 strokes of the cane.[7]

Yes, the US does not cane people but it also has a death penalty, bad prison conditions relative to other g-20 nations (solitary confinement for example), and people get long sentences for recidivism, or for certain felonies, or under 3 strikes laws. I think there is room for improvement for many countries, not just Singapore. He was sentenced 4 months for stealing the signs, which is commensurate with a misdemeanor in the US (1 year max).

aidenn0|3 years ago

> It sounds bad, and it is, until you realize that he was stealing street signs, which is a crime in probably any country, not just Singapore. TBH, who decides to steal street signs in a foreign country?

He was living with his mother in Singapore, so while he was a US citizen, he was stealing street signs "at home."

Also vandalism and theft of street signs is certainly quite common in St Louis, where he lived before moving to Singapore.

warning26|3 years ago

> prison conditions relative to other g-20 nations (solitary confinement for example), and people get long sentences for recidivism

If the US would properly apply the death penalty more, that would solve most of issues you list. Recidivism necessarily goes to zero, no need for solitary, etc.

micromacrofoot|3 years ago

Caning is more than "sore bottom" — a few strikes break the skin and it typically leaves scars.