CASTRATION AS PUNISHMENT.   Term Paper ID:21088 Click to get this paper

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Paper Abstract: Types, research, biological effects, case studies, racial issue, pros & cons, effectiveness. Paper Introduction: Outline Controlling Idea: Does the state have the right to impose chemical castration as an acceptable punishment for sex offenders--as an alternative to imprisonment--or does castration fail to address aggression as an underlying motive for sex offenses? Is chemical castration an inhumane form of punishment, or is it preferable to surgical castration? I. Chemical castration, a brief explanation A. Type of drugs available. B. Effects of chemical castration, both chemical and surgical. C. Two problems associated with chemical castration Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Accordingly,he requested surgical castration. 791). (1992, July). While many critics statedthat castration was not an acceptable answer to sexual offense, so far noone has asked whether other alternatives are working. For too many offenders, thesexual abuse and violence in prisons merely heightens their propensity tocommit further crimes (Besharov, 1992, p. 79 -793). 1 8). Sturup, chief psychiatrist ofDenmark's Herstedvester Detention Center, is that a person who has sufferedas a result of his sexual drive will, after castration, feel a great senseof relief at being freed from these urges (Wright, 1992, p. Heabused his own children, and, despite many periods of imprisonment, hecontinued to abuse children each time he was released. In the South, blackswere sometimes castrated before being lynched (Wright, 1992, p. Why it does not work for all sex offenses. Girard's then-unpublished paper on castration. Effects of chemical castration, both chemical andsurgical. An earlier British pedophile fought for the right of chemical castration. If the treatment produces a sufficientbehavioral change then surgery is clearly unnecessary; if it does not thensurgical castration will not work either. Just as in surgical castration, the subject can still have erections,and many successfully impregnate their wives. The usual route is oral, but a depot preparation can begiven on a named patient basis. His last period ofimprisonment was for 1 years. 42). 42). However, it was Butler who requested surgicalcastration as an alternative to imprisonment. In conclusion, studies have shown that castration has been highlyeffective for certain sex offenders. Other side effects have included weight gain and hotflashes (Besharov, 1992, p. Their crimes includeindecent exposure, sex with minors, incest, aggravated sexual assault, andrape. In the cases where it does work, it should be used oversurgical castration--more socially accepted. Carefully conducted research indicates that hormone therapy workswhen combined with appropriate counseling--for most paraphiliacs (sexoffenders driven by overwhelming sexual fantasies). Two problems associated with chemical castration D. Girard is a surgeon who codesigned thefirst corneal contact lens in 1958 (Wright, 1992, pp. Voluntary chemical castration of a mentalpatient. 1 8-1 9). 169). As one analyst stated, it creates "erotic apathy" (Besharov,1992, p. The castrated criminal would bemore docile and have a better opportunity to be rehabilitated, educated,and to become a worthwhile citizen. Chemical castration, which involves the use of hormone suppressors,has proven highly effective for certain sex offenders. What is also important is that 9 percent ofthe castrated men reported that they themselves are satisfied with theoutcome. Yet only 2 are receiving counseling--an indication of how littlefaith is placed in therapeutic solutions (Wright, 1992, p. Thetreatment does not reach the causes of their harmful behavior. One is that it depends on the men being willing to show up everyweek to receive their injections. Both Girard and McSpadden took theirargument to the media, hoping to win converts. The case for castration. Beyond the fact that sevenof those men reoffended while they were being treated, four developedgallstones, three developed hypertension, and three had diabetes (Wright,1992, p. 175). Fifty sex offender clinics in the United States now usechemical therapy, and it is even more widely used in Europe. Texas Monthly, pp.1 8-11 , 112, 16 , 169-17 , 172, 174-175.----------------------- 1 It should be considered the same as other psychotropicdrugs. In1855, the Territory of Kansas introduced judicial castration of blacks andmulattoes who raped or attempted to rape white women. Compare these effects with those reported in men who were surgicallycastrated. Chemical castration, while causingsome side effects, should be viewed as an equivalent to psychotropic drugs,rather than as an invasion of bodily integrity and reproductive freedom.However, because castration, both surgical and chemical, does not work forantisocial personalities, or for those sex offenses motivated by anger,violence, or power, proper diagnosis is essential. Recidivism rates werefound to be under five percent (Besharov, 1992, p. The most commondrug used is medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), a synthetic progesteroneoriginally developed as a contraceptive marketed as Depo-Provera (Besharov,1992, p. Thesymbolism of castration needed to be explored with him, as did possibleunderlying motives for his seeking surgical, rather than chemical,castration. Others oppose chemical castration, because even though the drugswork, they are an invasion of bodily integrity and reproductive freedom.However, it may be more accurate to see them as equivalent to thepsychotropic drugs, which include antidepressants, antipsychotics, andtranquilizers, now routinely used to treat many mental disorders. 42)? There are, however, two significant problems with the chemicalapproach. Does the state have the right to impose chemical castration as anacceptable punishment for sex offenders--as an alternative to imprisonment--or does castration fail to address aggression as an underlying motive forsex offenses (Besharov, 1992, p. If taken inadequate dosage, this has been found to reduce serum testosteroneconcentrations. However, in an earlier British case, a pedophile who fearedthat his uncontrollable sexual urges would cause him to reoffend had toplead in the High Court for the right to undergo experimental drugtreatment (chemical castration) that reduced testosterone to castrationlevels (Brahams, 1988, p. The reality of sexual assault, according toThomas, is about violence; it is also about a need for power and control.It has nothing to do with the genital organs and removing sexual desire mayfrustrate men further, causing them to use violence as a way of dealingwith their issues of inadequacy and powerlessness that perpetuate sexualassaults. Dr. John Bradfordof the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Canada states that as a rule, therecidivism rate of sex offenders averages 8 percent before castration(Wright, 1992, p. Yes: Consider chemical treatment. The other problem withchemical treatment is that it produces side effects. In one such case, a 59-year-old man, known as Mr. K, wantedto be castrated (Alexander & et.al., 1993, pp. OutlineControlling Idea: Does the state have the right to impose chemical castration as anacceptable punishment for sex offenders--as an alternative toimprisonment--or does castration fail to address aggression as anunderlying motive for sex offenses? British Medical Journal, International, 3 7, 79 -793.Besharov, D.J. In a German study of 1, 36 castrated offenders, a small portionof the men gained weight, especially around their hips and chest; the skinbecame softer; facial hair diminished, but head hair did not change; 42percent experienced slight complaints about hot flashes; and fewer than onethird became depressed. Texas state district judge Michael McSpadden, alarmed that thecourts were failing, that crime was out of control--since seven out of 1 people he was sending to prison had already been there before, and theywere choosing prison over probation because prison terms were shorter thanprobation periods--became interested in Dr. Louis J. 42.Brahams, D. Is castration an adequate treatment?II. 175). B. (1993). Thus,proper diagnosis is essential (Besharov, 1992, p. Chemical castration, a brief explanation A. B. Only 24 of those 1, 36 German menrecidivated, with a single sex offense (Wright, 1992, p. 42).According to some experts, this treatment, when given to men, reduces theeffects of testosterone, and therefore diminishes the compulsive sexualfantasy. Nationally, convictedrapists serve less than six years in jail, and that does not include allthose who plead guilty to lesser offenses. During his last imprisonment, Mr. K became determined to end hisabusive behavior and decided that castration was the answer. First, it is possibleto combine treatment with incarceration, but it should be noted that sexoffenders frequently receive short sentences. C. Cases involving castration A. However, according to black leaders, the fact that Butler had anIQ of 69 was evidence of his inability to make a competent decision. Is chemical castration an inhumaneform of punishment, or is it preferable to surgical castration?I. C. The matter might have ended there, but once Butler came forward,black leaders decried the implicit racism in this alternative. While many women favor castration, either chemical or surgical, forsex offenders, Cassandra Thomas, director of the rape program at theHouston Area Women's Center believes that castration should not be used asa punishment, because it reinforces the myth that sexual assault is aboutsex (Wright, 1992, p. 42). Nevertheless, for thoseoffenders who motivated by sexual urges, castration should be used--especially when voluntary--with chemical castration being the more sociallyand racially acceptable solution. In a study titled,"The Texas Experience with Depo-Provera, 198 -199 ," three researchersreported on 4 men who received the injections. (1988, 4 June). One man developed osteoporosis, a degenerativebone disease common in women after menopause and in all elderly persons.In a different study, osteoporosis was diagnosed in 81 percent of castratedmen, and it is by far the greatest medical problem; however, this must becompared with other social concerns. One had privilege and the respect of society; the otherwas a high school dropout with no prospects. 1291-1292.Wright, L. Since Butler was black, this debate also touchedon racial concerns. For example, inTexas prisons there are nearly 8, sex offenders. Some sex offenders, with persistent histories of sexual abuse,voluntarily request chemical castration as a way to stop themselves fromreoffending. 16 ). The fact that Butler soughtcastration as an alternative to prison--he had a wife and children tosupport--was rarely commented on by black leaders, except to say that hewas a victim of judicial coercion. Type of drugs available. The Texas debate about castration actually began before Butler'srequest. C. 1291). Mr. K, a British pedophile, who wanted surgical, but refused chemical castration. No one was able to changehis mind. Clinics that provide MPA injections areplagued by dropouts, and without the shots testosterone levels quickly riseto pre-treatment levels (Wright, 1992, p. More discussion with him was deemednecessary to unravel the dynamics of the paradoxical position he took. ABAJournal, p. Some may argue that hormone treatment as an alternative toincarceration is too lenient for serious sex crimes. In the United States, the case of Steve Allen Butler in Texas sparkeda recent debate on the pros and cons of surgical or chemical castration(Wright, 1992, p. The main conclusion to be drawn from this particular study ofcastrated men, according to Dr. Georg K. These are the questions this research will examine. B. Mr. K also talked of suicide, aknown hazard in surgical castration. In his opinion, castration would reduce andpossibly eliminate aggressive behavior. Various Danish studies have followed as many as9 castrated sex offenders for several decades; they show that recidivismrates drop to 2.2 percent. (1992, May). The man's abusivebehavior began when he was at school and continued into his marriage. ReferencesAlexander, M., & et.al. It isGirard's contention that criminal behavior in men is influenced by highlevels of testosterone. Even if the Mental Health ActCommission was willing to debate the issue, it was found that theinevitable rejection after weeks of medical and legal argument would makeMr. The case for chemical castration A. K's mental health much worse (Alexander, et.al., 1993, p. For many black people, the contrast between a white judge--a wealthyRepublican--and the black prisoner characterized the imbalance of powerbetween the races. Mr. K was offered an antiandrogen, cyproterone acetate. 1 8). Should a sexual offender be allowedcastration? Mr. K refused antiandrogenmedication, which suggested that his motivation for castration was complexand could not be taken at face value. 17 ). In Great Britain, however, surgicalcastration is not generally an option. In addition, is chemical castrationan inhumane form of punishment, or is it preferable to surgical castration? In fact, McSpadden, who hadjurisdiction over Butler's case, had been elaborately cautious in makingsure that Butler's choice was free and informed. 42). For this reason, hormonetreatment does not work for antisocial personalities or for those whose sexoffenses are motivated by the feelings of anger, violence or power. 17 ). Steve Allen Butler, a Texas black who wanted surgicalcastration, sparked a controversy that had racial, social,and feminist overtones.III. He instructed Butler totalk to four psychiatrists and therapists, including Michael Cox who wasoutspokenly opposed to the castration option. Lancet, pp. 42). 175). Castrationhas been a profound symbol of the historic oppression of black men. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.