The ‘school’ is run by Miss Livingstone, a 40-year-old successful businesswoman and mother of one from Hampshire. She's turned them against me," Geoffrey told her. "The doctor's given me something. For depression." For some reason, that word - "depression" - sliced through Mrs Pike's heart. Made her want to catch her breath. The instant the last stroke is laid on, the officer shouts "habis" ("finished"). In one case we can hear one of the attendants positioned closest to the prisoner at the frame telling him to "take a breath, take a breath" ("tarik nafas").

If they are punishing anyone there’s always a senior teacher there to make sure the play is safe,” she adds. You have no cares beyond taking out your books and doing what you’re told - or choosing not to. It’s such a lovely release from responsibility.”

Next comes a 13-stroke caning for a Chinese prisoner, which here is split over the first and second parts of the film. He takes his punishment remarkably stoically, hardly moving or making a noise. I do at least four hours preparation for every 45-minute to an hour lesson I teach. The lessons are accurate. They’re not taught to degree level but they’ll introduce the ‘pupils’ to new information so everyone will go away having learnt something - we even set homework!” Is that you, Mrs W? I have a naughty boy here - could you come and take him away please? What's that? Oh, yes, you'd better bring the spanking strap - oh, hold on a moment, Mrs W, I think he's apologising _ it's all right, Mrs W, I won't be needing you to come, not for the time being, thanks anyway..."

She is very protective of her ‘pupils’. Because of the corporal punishment aspect, only ‘teachers’ she knows personally are allowed at the school.We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. You're all right," she said brightly, "you're just not the marrying type, that's all. Never have been. I should have spotted it." You see I fail to see how we’re different. I can’t see why you seem to put yourselves above us and lump us in a “no good” category.