- Louisiana approves surgical castration for paedophiles convicted of sex crimes
- Legislation aims to deter offences against minors under 13
- Controversy arises over the severity and efficacy of the punishment
Chemical castration is already an option for judges in the United States who have convicted an individual of child sex offences. However, the surgical method is significantly more invasive.
In Louisiana, paedophiles who have been convicted of a sex crime against a minor may soon be required to undergo surgical castration in addition to serving prison time.
On Monday, politicians in the United States state granted final approval to a bill that would empower judges to issue orders to individuals who have been convicted of specific aggravated sex crimes against a minor under the age of 13.
Rape, incest, and molestation comprise these offences.
If the measure is enacted, it will only apply to individuals who committed a crime on or after August 1, 2018.
Since 2008, Louisiana justices have been authorized to order chemical castrations for individuals convicted of such offences.
This approach entails the administration of medications that inhibit the production of sex hormones to reduce libido.
Surgical castration is a significantly more invasive procedure.
Other states, such as California, Florida, and Texas, have already implemented legislation that permits chemical castration as a form of punishment.
Offenders have the option to elect the surgical procedure in certain states.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has stated that it is unaware of states permitting justices to administer surgical castration unconditionally.
During a committee hearing on the Louisiana bill in April, Republican state Senator Valarie Hodges stated, “This is a consequence […]” It is a significant improvement from merely being incarcerated and subsequently released.
On Monday, the measure was overwhelmingly approved in both Republican-dominated chambers.
The law was primarily opposed by Democrats; however, a politician from the party wrote the measure.
The legislation is now on its way to conservative Governor Jeff Landry, who will determine whether to enact it or veto it.
At present, 2,224 individuals are incarcerated in Louisiana for committing sex crimes against minors under the age of 13.
Democratic state Senator Regina Barrow, the bill’s sponsor, has stated that it would constitute an additional measure of retribution for atrocious offences. She anticipates that the legislation will act as a deterrent, preventing such offences against minors.
During an April committee meeting, Ms. Barrow stated, “We are discussing infants who an individual is abusing.”
“That is inexcusable.”
Although castration is frequently associated with males, Ms. Barrow stated that the law could also be applied to women.
She also emphasized that the punishment would be administered based on individual cases and at the justices’ discretion. Punishment is not automatic.
According to the measure, an offender who “fails to appear or refuses to undergo” surgical castration after a judge orders the procedure may be charged with “failure to comply” and sentenced to an additional three to five years in prison.
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The legislation also mandates that a medical professional “assess whether the offender is a suitable candidate” for the procedure before it is executed.
Under Louisiana’s current legislation, chemical castration has been administered to an exceedingly small number of offenders.
Officials stated they could only identify up to one or two instances between 2010 and 2019.
Opponents have criticized the bill and chemical castration legislation, claiming that they are “cruel and unusual punishment” and questioning the efficacy of the procedure.
Furthermore, some Louisiana legislators have expressed concern that the penalty was excessively severe for an individual who may have committed a single infraction.
Ms. Barrow responded, “When I consider a child, I believe that one instance is excessive.”
