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MissPenny

SB 679 Physical castration as an alternative to indeterminate civil commitment; violent sexual predator.
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
Summary as introduced:
Physical castration as an alternative to indeterminate civil commitment of a violent sexual predator. Provides that in the case of a prisoner who has been determined to be a sexually violent predator, when the only alternative is involuntary secure inpatient treatment, the court may, on petition of the prisoner, order, as an alternative to involuntary secure inpatient treatment, that the prisoner (i) undergo physical castration and (ii) be placed on conditional release, in a manner and in accordance with terms and conditions developed by the Commissioner and the Department of Corrections.

Full Text: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+ful+SB679
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Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer

"Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians."
Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)

trike4me · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:56 pm Post subject:

I don't really have a problem with that! But I doubt if that will stop the urge to violate people. They'll find another outlet.
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Jeanne
Virginia Freedom Riders - R.A.C.E. - Region I Representative
"The secret of getting things done is to act!"
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian writer

MissPenny · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject:

That was my thought too. I don't know the answer here, but it concerns me that this would allow the choice to have it done and then be back out on the streets, with the true root of the problem not resolved - if it's even possible to resolve. Not a very pleasant choice no doubt, but I question the final result and consequences. I wonder if there are any studies on this?

Penny
_________________
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer

"Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians."
Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)

Matt · Rider Joined: 23 Jan 2005 Posts: 47

Its actually a horrible idea. Having spent nearly 10 years prosecuting these deviants I can tell you that they are driven by a myriad of things, many times the least of which being sex. That is merely their method of control and humiliation. Quite often the object used to molest is not the penis but a finger, tongue, stick, toy, food item, you name it. Locking them away is the only solution (sanctioned by the Supreme Court) to preventing future victims.
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Matt Danielson

MissPenny · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:15 am Post subject:

The media finally picked up on it. Here's the article - oh and there's a poll on this link):

http://wtop.com/index.php?sid=686083&nid=25

State Senator Proposes Castration for Sexual Predators
Feb 1st - 6:30am

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A legislator concerned that housing and funding for violent sexual predators will eventually run out is offering up a solution: castration.

"I hope to begin a conversation. It's something I am very serious about," Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr., R-Augusta, said at a Senate subcommittee meeting Tuesday.

Under state law, violent sexual predators who have finished serving their criminal sentenced but are considered to still pose a danger to the community are subjected to a civil process that can force them to participate in an inpatient program.

At present, 22 people are committed under the program and receive treatment at a state mental health facility. A larger facility is also under construction, but Hanger said he fears the numbers of people involved will grow to enormous, costly numbers.

"Five years down the road, we may have a population of 300 of these individuals," he said, adding that he expects such numbers would cost "about $100 million a year."

"For an adult who rapes a child, I would support mandatory orchidectomy," Hanger said. Other offenders could ask for physical castration as a term of their release.

Studies on the effectiveness of castration as a deterent is inconclusive.

"Not every sexual offense is necessarily driven by testosterone," said Mario J.P. Dennis, director of clinical programs for the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation, the state treatment facility that treats sexually violent predators.

Dennis also said it is difficult to find doctors willing to provide chemical castration using a drug that is designed to reduce a sex offenders sexual urges.

Hanger, however, said several states already allow castration.

Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch
_________________
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer

"Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians."
Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)