NCJ Number
172102
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 25 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1997) Pages: 1-18
Date Published
1997
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This review of the literature on physical and chemical castration of sex offenders concludes that ethical and scientific guidelines should be developed to study whether physical or chemical castration could be considered beneficial to the offender and to society.
Abstract
Castration has been documented throughout history as occurring for a variety of social, punishment, and medical reasons. Both physical and chemical castration are currently being debated with respect to sex offenders, because both the public and legislators are calling for actions to reduce sex offenses. Chemical castration has been proposed as a reversible alternative. Its effectiveness, side effects, risks, and recidivism rates have been studied extensively over the last 25 years. In contrast, physical castration has been used mainly in Europe, has not been rigorously studied, and remains a highly controversial and irreversible procedure. However, reported recidivism rates are substantially better than those for chemical castration. Treatment that lowers testosterone offers a way to reduce and control and deviant sexual fantasies and urges of hard-core offenders, although such biological interventions are only part of the treatment plan and do not solve the problem of sexual violence. In addition, several legal and ethical issues need to be resolved. Therefore, guidelines are needed for further study regarding the potential benefits of physical or chemical castration. Tables and 46 references (Author abstract modified)