NCJ Number
217399
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 16-31
Date Published
February 2007
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article discusses whether chemical castration should be a sentencing option for high-risk, highly deviant sexual predators in England and Wales and reviews evaluation research concerning its effectiveness.
Abstract
Given the research findings, the author concludes that chemical castration using medroxyprogesterone (MPA) should be available in England and Wales on a voluntary-only basis and should be part of a treatment or supervision package once the offender leaves prison. The author also recommends a name change from “chemical castration” to some type of alternative name like “hormonal androgen depletion” or “anti-hormone treatment.” The main argument is that chemical castration can be an effective means of treating pedophiles who voluntarily submit to the procedure coupled with therapy. Research indicates that chemical castration can be an effective treatment, but only for certain classes of sex offenders. Most research shows that chemical castration is effective for pedophiles, and usually only for those pedophiles that are preferential pedophiles, meaning they only desire to have sexual relationships with children and not adults. In order to gain maximum effectiveness from chemical castration, it should be coupled with psychotherapy or other forms of counseling to address distorted perceptions, attitudes toward children, pro-criminal attitudes, and denial or minimization of the offending. This may mean that maximum effectiveness from chemical castration can only be achieved in sex offenders who are willing to work toward changing their perceptions and behaviors. Chemical castration and therapy should therefore only be offered on a voluntary basis as a package of treatment upon release from prison and should not be part of a punishment agenda. The selection of appropriate offenders should be a medical rather than a legal decision and should not be based on the nature of the crime but on the offender’s suitability and motivation to respond to treatment. Notes, references