[SolutionsOnly]

Do Singapore's policies really serve as so much of a better deterrent than ours?

I firmly believe that clarity and consistency. There is neither clarity or consistency in the U.S. system. Too many people 'work' the system and evade justice and make a mockery of victim's rights.

Yes, I tend to believe that the Singapore system does a better job at deterrence. It certainly is more respectful of the victims.

[TKDietz]

I don't think it is as bad as all that. I think the media likes to stir things up and they present a skewed version of what goes on in the criminal justice system. I work in the system as a public defender. There are some inconsistencies and sometimes some really unfair results, but overall the system is fairly consistent at least where I work. People hardly ever avoid punishment and "victims rights" are honored now more than ever before in this country. Our system is not all perfect, but it's probably not nearly as bad as you think. No doubt people try to "work the system" and sometimes succeed, but I bet that happens everywhere, even in Singapore. Money talks, and politics and important connections can make all the difference anywhere.