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Chemical castration
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Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and to reduce sexual activity, usually in the hope of preventing rapists, pedophiles and other sex offenders from reoffending. Recidivism rates are very high among sexual offenders once released, thus a humane method of treating them has been sought other than life long imprisonment or surgical castration. Chemical castration is not surgical castration (when testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum) nor is it a form of sterilization.
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Encyclopedia
Chemical castration is the administration of medication designed to reduce libido and to reduce sexual activity, usually in the hope of preventing rapists, pedophiles and other sex offenders from reoffending. Recidivism rates are very high among sexual offenders once released, thus a humane method of treating them has been sought other than life long imprisonment or surgical castration. Chemical castration is not surgical castration (when testes are removed through an incision in the scrotum) nor is it a form of sterilization. Unlike actual castration, no permanent physical change is caused in the body by the administration of Depo-Provera (Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) to "chemically castrate" a sex offender (for this reason, the term "chemical castration" has been called a misnomer). Depo-Provera is an FDA-approved birth control drug that quells the sex drive of sex offenders; it lowers testosterone levels in males by decreasing androgen levels in the bloodstream. In theory, this reduces the compulsive sexual fantasies of some types of sex offenders. Side effects from the drug have been rare and "are believed to be fully reversible with cessation of treatment. In addition, SSRI antidepressants such as Seroxat, Prozac, or Zoloft may be used, since they are well-known to cause sexual dysfunction in users.
Chemical castration in the United States
At least six states in the United States (California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Montana) have experimented with chemical castration laws. California was the first state to use chemical castration as a punishment for sex offenders. In cases in which the victim is under 13 years of age, California judges may require first-time offenders to undergo chemical castration. After a second offense, treatment is mandatory. In Iowa and Florida, offenders may be sentenced to chemical castration in all cases involving serious sex offenses. As in California, treatment is mandatory after a second offense. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 144 June 25, 2008, allowing Louisiana judges to sentence convicted rapists to chemical castration. Depo-Provera (Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate), a progestin, is a drug that is sometimes used on sex offenders.
California
Following the passage of a modification to Section 645 of the California penal code in 1996, California became the first U.S. state to enact compulsory chemical castration as punishment for child molestation. This law stipulates that anyone convicted of child molestation with a minor under 13 years of age may be treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (brand name: Depo Provera) if they are on parole and if this is their second offense. Offenders are required to accept the chemical castration treatment The passage of this law led to similar laws, such as Florida's Statute Section 794.0235 which was passed into law in 1997.
Criticism
Though generally considered more humane than surgical castration, chemical castration has attracted a number of critics.
The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the coerced administration of any drug, including antiandrogen drugs for sex offenders. They argued in 1997 that forced chemical castration was a "cruel and unusual punishment", and thereby constitutionally prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. They also stated that it interfered with the right to procreate, and could expose users to various health problems.
Large doses are required to be effective in men. Most men will receive 400 mg to 500 mg per week. In some cases, men given oral doses as high as 700 mg/day have still reported regular sexual arousal and fantasies.
Side effects
As with the majority of prescription medications, the use of Depo-Provera can rarely cause several side effects including weight gain, fatigue, malaise, hypertension, mild depression, hypoglycemia and rare changes in liver enzymes.
Chemical castration may sometimes cause gynecomastia, a side effect that is sometimes treated with tamoxifen, a SERM.
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