CASTRATION - THE TOTAL TREATMENT (FROM SEXUAL BEHAVIORS SOCIAL, CLINICAL, AND LEGAL ASPECTS, 1972 BY H L P RESNIK AND MARVIN E WOLFGANG - SEE NCJ-32113)

• NCJ Number: 32122
• Author(s): G K STUERUP
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: Little, Brown and Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF THE USE OF THERAPEUTIC, LEGALIZED CASTRATION AS PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF SEX CRIMES, ESPECIALLY IN DENMARK.

Abstract

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS DISCUSSION, CASTRATION IS DEFINED AS THE REMOVAL OF THE TESTES OR OVARIES WHICH CONSEQUENTLY INVOLVES THE CESSATION OF HORMONAL PRODUCTION BY THESE ORGANS AND A DECREASE IN SEXUAL DRIVE. THE TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CASTRATION, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTIC CASTRATION OF CRIMINALS IN DENMARK, INDICATIONS FOR CASTRATION, PSYCHIATRIC PREPARATION OF CASTRATION CANDIDATES, THE OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUE, ACCOMPANYING BIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES, PATIENT AFTERCARE, AND THE RESULTS OF THE OPERATION. ALSO REPORTED ARE THE RESULTS OF A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 900 DANISH CASTRATES OPERATED ON BETWEEN 1929 AND 1959. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE EARLIEST INDICATION FOR THERAPEUTIC CASTRATION OF SEX OFFENDERS IS A SPECIAL TENDENCY TO REPEAT SEX CRIMES, AND IN A FEW CASES, THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME. SCRUTINY OF THE OFFENDER'S ENTIRE LIFE SITUATION AND CAREFUL PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION ARE STRESSED AS ESSENTIAL TO CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTS FOR CASTRATION. THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREFUL PATIENT PREPARATION AND FOLLOWUP ARE ALSO EMPHASIZED. THE POSITIVE SOCIAL RESULTS OF THIS TECHNIQUE AND THE MAN'S POTENTIAL FOR A NORMAL LIFE ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. REFERENCES ARE LISTED.