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The Case for Castration
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Should we “chemically castrate” sex offenders? Victims’ rights groups, Governor Bobby Jindal—and even some sex offenders themselves—say yes.
If things had gone differently, both Bob*, 41, and Jimmy, 31, might not be on the national sex-offender registry. Bob wouldn't have done four years in prison for molesting a young girl and buying child porn, and Jimmy wouldn't have spent most of his twenties in jail on endless charges of exposing himself to unsuspecting women in cars.
"I pulled up to this woman once and was like, 'Hey,' to get her attention," Jimmy recalls of one of his flashing incidents. "She just looked at me and started laughing and said, 'You got something wrong with you,' and I thought, 'Yeah, I think I do.' I knew it was wrong. I was embarrassed.”
"Life is more carefree," says one chemically castrated sex offender. "I can plan for events five or six months from now knowing I'll be home for them," rather than in jail.
Despite this knowledge, neither he nor Bob sought help at a place like the Sexual Disorders Clinic at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University, where both of them now receive treatment for their urges under a court mandate. In individual and group counseling, they learn about the sources and triggers behind their urges, and develop tools to defuse those urges when they arise. Now, when Bob sees an underage girl, "I look away and say, 'I don't want that, no, go away.' I make myself feel the ugliness of the whole thing and it makes me feel bad.”
But Bob and Jimmy’s therapy isn’t just about helping them feel “bad” about their urges. Part of it is aimed at making them feel these urges less, through a treatment known as “chemical castration,” in the form of a drug called Depo-Lupron.
Chemical castration doesn’t resemble surgical castration at all. It’s a monthly injection of a testosterone-lowering drug, in this case Depo-Lupron (leuprolide), which is used to treat prostate cancer, but can also lower the intensity of sexual urges. Jimmy, a debt collector, pays up to several hundred dollars a month for his 7.5mg injections. On the drug, he says, life is better. He has a new fiancée, and describes his sex life as “good—that of a normal man.” He's no longer overwhelmed with the urge to flash strangers. "Life is more carefree," he says. "I can plan for events five or six months from now knowing I'll be home for them," rather than in jail. “If I wasn’t on [the drug], I wouldn’t be on the streets. I’d be locked up somewhere because I know I’d reoffend.”
Bob’s experience has been similar. He still has a sex drive, but it’s no longer out of his control. When he sees an adult woman, “I can become aroused, but it takes a little bit more effort—it’s not automatic.” The biggest drawback for him is the expense. “It costs a lot of money. With charges like this, it’s hard to get a decent job.”
The standard monthly dose of Depo-Lupron is $700 to $800, says a Sexual Disorders Clinic staffer, and insurers often won't cover the cost. Still, Jimmy says he'd rather work a day's overtime to pay for it than go back to jail. Also, the drug can decrease bone density. Jimmy, who's been on it for more than a year, says he broke his arm in December when he fell backward doing some plumbing, though he doesn't know if the drug was to blame. He'd need to do a bone-density scan to determine that, but that costs money, too. The drug also gives him hot flashes, he says. "It just feels like someone lit a torch inside you."
Still, he intends to keep taking Depo-Lupron for as long as it takes. “Until I feel I can come off of it safely,” he says. Residents of Maryland, both he and Bob are getting their Lupron treatments voluntarily. But some states mandate the injections—last year, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal authorized judges in his state to order chemical castration of convicted rapists upon their release from prison. And even as the Council of Europe is demanding that the Czech Republic stop surgically castrating violent sex offenders, chemical castration is gaining traction—Poland and Spain have both taken steps toward using the procedure.
"There is a huge body of scientific data in humans and animals documenting that, when testosterone is lowered, there's a dramatic decrease in sexual drive and in sexually motivated behaviors," says Dr. Fred Berlin, the founder of Hopkins' Sexual Disorders Clinic, where a staffer says that, of more than 100 patients, about 64 are on Depo-Lupron.
Some offenders still won't touch the stuff. In Atlanta, Roy Martin, 52, did prison time plus a supervised release for a 2002 conviction of possessing child porn. He now runs Roy Martin Ministries, a resource for recovering sex offenders. But he says that, were he still doing time, he wouldn't take a shorter sentence in return for agreeing to chemical castration. "It was bad enough that I did illegal drugs," he says, referring to a former crack habit he says he kicked with God's help, which he also credits with keeping him away from his old flashing and child-porn habits. "Why would I turn around and introduce another foreign substance into my body?"
Frank Zimring, a law professor at University of California at Berkeley and an expert on sex crimes, also has qualms. He says the idea that all sex offenders repeat their crimes is a “folk belief,” and that recidivist rates are much lower than widely believed. He cites a Department of Justice study that tracked nearly 10,000 sex offenders—more than 4,000 of them convicted of child molesting—for three years after their 1994 release; the re-arrest rate for another sex crime was only 5.3 percent.
Whatever its merits, chemical castration is a far less invasive option than what some sex offenders get in the Lone Star State. Texas is the only US state that authorizes only surgical castration for sex offenders: the physical removal of the testes. The procedure requires the consent of the offender, but even offering surgical castration is ethically suspect, say critics, who contend that the option is held out, unfairly, in exchange for reduced prison sentences—a cruel decision to force someone to make. "Castration sounds terrible," says Zimring, "but spending the rest of your life locked up also sounds terrible, and the question is the choice of evils."
Also, experts say, both types of castration will only work for sex offenders motivated by sexual desire rather than anger and aggression. "If you have people who aren't primarily motivated by sexual arousal, you have to layer interventions to maintain safety," says Maia Christopher, executive director of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.
And guess who else doesn't have much patience with chemical castration as an alternative to lock-up? Certain victims' rights groups. "If they want to castrate them, that's fine," says Debbie Savoie, vice president of the Massachusetts group Community Voices. "The main issue," she says, "is they're not locking them up long enough."
Dr. Berlin says he can understand that hard-line point of view. "I discipline myself never to lose track of the fact that people can be innocent victims," he says. But after working closely with hundreds of sex offenders over the years, he sees them differently than does society at-large—as human beings with a vexing addiction, akin to alcoholism, rather than as monsters. "The best thing we could do would be to encourage these people to [seek treatment] before, rather than after, the fact. But we've demonized them. I'm sure there's a 17-year-old boy out there who realizes he's attracted to eight-year-olds but he's terrified to come forward."
Could that have once been the case with Michael Bizanowicz, now serving two life terms for the 2004 rape and murder of Woburn, Massachusetts, resident Joanne Presti and the murder of Presti's 12-year-old daughter, Alyssa? Presti's mother, Annette, who has since become an activist for stronger sex-offender laws in Massachusetts, doesn't much care. "At his trial," she says of Bizanowicz, "there were a lot of people with signs that said, 'Castrate.’ I thought about that a little and said, 'You know, maybe that's the answer—if it's something they can't control.'"
How would she feel if Bizanowicz got a shorter term in return for agreeing to be castrated? "I'd be angry," she says. "I really don't give a damn about him being castrated or not." Then, as though directly to Bizanowicz, she adds: "You just stay in jail."
*Some of the sex offenders’ names have been changed.
Tim Murphy has contributed to the New York Times, New York, Out, The Advocate and Poz. He lives in New York City.
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"The Case for Castration
by Tim Murphy
Info RSS Tim Murphy has contributed to the New York Times, New York, Out, The Advocate and Poz. He lives in New York City.
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Still, he intends to keep taking Depo-Lupron for as long as it takes. "Until I feel I can come off of it safely," he says. Residents of Maryland, both he and Bob are getting their Lupron treatments voluntarily. But some states mandate the injections-last year, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal authorized judges in his state to order chemical castration of convicted rapists upon their release from prison. And even as the Council of Europe is demanding that the Czech Republic stop surgically castrating violent sex offenders, chemical castration is gaining traction-Poland and Spain have both taken steps toward using the procedure.
"There is a huge body of scientific data in humans and animals documenting that, when testosterone is lowered, there's a dramatic decrease in sexual drive and in sexually motivated behaviors," says Dr. Fred Berlin, the founder of Hopkins' Sexual Disorders Clinic, where a staffer says that, of more than 100 patients, about 64 are on Depo-Lupron.
Some offenders still won't touch the stuff. In Atlanta, Roy Martin, 52, did prison time plus a supervised release for a 2002 conviction of possessing child porn. He now runs Roy Martin Ministries, a resource for recovering sex offenders. But he says that, were he still doing time, he wouldn't take a shorter sentence in return for agreeing to chemical castration. "It was bad enough that I did illegal drugs," he says, referring to a former crack habit he says he kicked with God's help, which he also credits with keeping him away from his old flashing and child-porn habits. "Why would I turn around and introduce another foreign substance into my body?"
Frank Zimring, a law professor at University of California at Berkeley and an expert on sex crimes, also has qualms. He says the idea that all sex offenders repeat their crimes is a "folk belief," and that recidivist rates are much lower than widely believed. He cites a Department of Justice study that tracked nearly 10,000 sex offenders-more than 4,000 of them convicted of child molesting-for three years after their 1994 release; the re-arrest rate for another sex crime was only 5.3 percent."
The key here is the repeat offenders tracked have to get caught. Many of them have wised up and learned from their mistakes when they were caught the first time. Then they have to be convicted. Tall order.
My point is that they will repeat. Always.
As for castration . . . I don't know. Sounds good in theory but human rights groups will never let it happen. Besides, I trust steel bars far more than I trust some drug to keep these offenders under control.
((Jeez, I don't know what all that is. Anyway, let me repost what was supposed to be displayed))
"Frank Zimring, a law professor at University of California at Berkeley and an expert on sex crimes, also has qualms. He says the idea that all sex offenders repeat their crimes is a "folk belief," and that recidivist rates are much lower than widely believed. He cites a Department of Justice study that tracked nearly 10,000 sex offenders-more than 4,000 of them convicted of child molesting-for three years after their 1994 release; the re-arrest rate for another sex crime was only 5.3 percent."
The key here is the repeat offenders tracked have to get caught. Many of them have wised up and learned from their mistakes when they were caught the first time. Then they have to be convicted. Tall order.
My point is that they will repeat. Always.
As for castration . . . I don't know. Sounds good in theory but human rights groups will never let it happen. Besides, I trust steel bars far more than I trust some drug to keep these offenders under control.
Talk about sensationalism.
This isn't castration at all - he still has a sex drive!!
This is just a drug to decrease testosterone, and if it had a different name, I bet that just about no one would have a problem with it.
Not going to work on violent men or those who really are mentally ill. Seems to rely on the man wanting to change.
I say off with their heads. The REAL way.
I hate to agree with Bobby "jingle bells" but in this case I think it is a hell of a lot cheaper to give them the drug then to in-prison them & allow them to harm woman. If the person wants & excepts the treatment the States would be insane not to offer it, plain & simple.
@liviapeacock
Actually, excessive amounts of testosterone have been linked to more aggressive/violent behavior, and men who are unfortunate enough to have a double-Y 23rd pair of chromasomes (it's pretty rare, but it happens) have a greater tendency towards aggressive, violent, and even psychotic behaviors.
Think about people on steroids. That's what too much testosterone will do to a person's body and brain. Reducing the amount of testosterone in a man should, in theory, reduce the urge to commit sexual crimes.
Of course, I do think rapists and child molesters belong in prison for life, but the chemical sex muzzle is an interesting idea.
I need to bring clarity to one statement Tim makes regarding, "...child porn" habits mentioned about Roy Martin. I, in fact, never had a child porn habit. I was solicited to receive it, and did, and prior to making it to the police department was arrested. I did, in fact, have a 40 year flashing habit which has since been eradicated along with addiction to Crack and tobacco. If one believes in God, and the fact God can and does heal, it is possible THEN it can and will occur if the person submit to His will. I'm a witness and published in my book released this month, "If You Send Me, I Will Go", which can be ordered through my site, otherwise Tim's article was pretty much on the mark. "www.roymartinministries.com" ...Roy
There is a behavioral and chemical component to the problem. Lowering hormones will not stop a sex offender any more than wearing a patch will stop the urge to smoke after a meal.
Why not just remove them permanently from society.
I THINK WE COULD , FREE UP PRISON SPACE, IF WE CASTRATED, VIOLENT SEX OFFENDERS, AT LEAST , GIVE THEM A CHOICE, CASTRATION, OR PRISON
Ultimate fit, that is ridiculous to speak in absolutes. I am sure when you were young you did something criminal and not caught (shoplifted, drunk drove, etc.) and you don't do that anymore. When I was young I cheated on my girlfriend, caused a huge mess of heartbreak for both of us. Now I am married, (to a different woman) while I am attracted to other women I will never cheat again, even if I were positive I would never get caught. And it is not illegal. I will also admit my desire to cheat has become much less with age.
This sounds like a great idea and great program, the only trick is finding the correct applicants.
As to giving it to the 18 year old who had consensual sex with his 16 year old girlfriend, well I hope we get past the nonsense of declaring everyone a sex offender, and treat crimes like that as disorderly conduct.
They should just burn these guys alive.
you know I am sick of idiots like you! I was sexually abused as a child so know the pain inflicted. But not everyone labeled a sex offender is a child molester or a rapist. Get a clus and some education tyler 143!
Interesting article, lays a pretty good case for voluntary chemical castration. I think appropriate treatment should be considered by the person in consultation with his medical professionals. No procedure with this effect should be mandated.
As for surgical castration, I am against it. We should treat mentally ill people, not mutilate them. What, should we cut off the hands of those who steal? (I don't want to pull the slippery slope card, but I want to draw the comparison)
Once again Texas holds itself up to the standards of the Czech Republic.
Give them the option - I don't think any drug should be mandatory for anyone.
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As far as flashing people, well, I guess that's a sex crime, a fairly MILD one as far as I am concerned and I don't know why that man would need chemical castration unless it's just to stay out of jail.
However, it is a proven fact that pedophiles will continue their behavior unless they are incarcerated, castrated,or dead. And while they are incarcerated they continue to fight with these urges/behaviors. It never leaves them.
So by that reasoning, therapy does no good.
So that only leaves being castrated (not chemically) or being dead. Let the pedophile choose which one he would rather have.
I apologize, I just left a comment, but I do have a question and a comment for "wanted"...
What are you "wanted" for?
Sorry again,
What are you :wanting"?
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ditto texastiger64
sounds like "wanting" is trying to justify his pathetic lifestyle.
I guess were the real monsters.
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Yikes! An angry pedophile loose on the Beast blogs. Hide the kids.
I think you have to be really careful with this kind of stuff. I mean if they charge a kid who is caught having sex with a younger kid, it is just a matter of degree, and how angry her parents get, but put a kid in jail, with real pedos and he could come out really damaged. So you have to be really careful, the US has one of the highest populations per capita in jail, I mean, that as option, might not be sustainable, like these wars that eat up tons of money, injure people, leaving people feeling incredibly bitter. So what stops a bitter person from accusing someone of being a pedo, related to an incident that happened 30 years ago, we have some strange cases of that here, and the damage is done, regardless if they are found guilty or not.
Stop jailing non-violent offenders for long sentences and keep the child molestors locked up so they can't ruin the lives of others ever again. The justice system is our most flawed system and needs reform.
Chemical castration isn't the answer either. Keeping track of who's getting their monthly shots is a risky and financially costly venture.
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