The cane[edit] A rattan[29] cane no more than 1.27 cm in diameter[30] and about 1.2 m in length is used for judicial and prison canings. It is about twice as thick as the canes used in the school and military contexts. The cane is soaked in water overnight to make it supple and prevent it from splitting and embedding splinters in the wounds.[26] The Prisons Department denies that the cane is soaked in brine, but has said that it is treated with antiseptic before use to prevent infection.[31] A lighter cane is used for juvenile offenders.[32]