Prison Treatment: Is it good, harsh or neutral?

The Japanese ruled over us with fear, trapping us with anxiety in our state constantly. Which it would be easier for them to manipulate us. Even if one of us committed a small offense, we were severely punished at once. News came in that those who helped Britain would be executed and would not change their mind.

As I was still staying at the prison camps, I can find it that they are very harsh in keeping us on doing labor and at the same time, so kind to give us food and shelter. But the food was prepared by fellow prison mates. We are called POWs (prisoners-of-war) which we are far more harshly treated than the European civilians who are in Changi. I know because I have received a letter from a friend who was in Changi prison. Despite their treatment at work, they let us keep our spirits in great heights. They let us organize plays, activities and enjoyable events. They also let us make our own school which we can share each others knowledge; Greek way, would fit the method. 

(Men finished their own activity for the day)

After weeks, they examined us again and set the 'clean ones' free. But I still many news from prisons around Singapore. For example, most Malays and Indians were not captured as they are not a big threat in the Japanese occupation. In fact, they even askred to be allies with them and free them from the British. However, they were treated as harshly as the other civilians. If they disobeyed the Japanese, they were punished right away. Some Malays were dragged and forced to do hard labor on the 'Death Railway' camps.

Recent news came from the camp that I was in. The POWs started to get seriously ill. They got malaria, cholera and causes about more than 60,000 deaths. They all have labored in the 'Death Railway' in swamps, jungles, and the mountainous passes and were not given sufficient treatment.

(Two men from the labor camp. They were not supplied much and never had treated)

References:

Curriculum Planning & Development Division   Ministry Of Education Singapore . SINGAPORE FROM SETTLEMENT TO NATION PRE 1819-1971. Singapore . Marshall Cavendish

Sources:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Allied_prisoners_of_war_after_the_liberation_of_Changi_Prison,_Singapore_-_c._1945.jpg/220px-Allied_prisoners_of_war_after_the_liberation_of_Changi_Prison,_Singapore_-_c._1945.jpg

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