Scotland considers chemically castrating high-risk sex offenders

[Mingle]

High-risk sex offenders in Scotland could be chemically castrated to stop them from reoffending.

Under a voluntary scheme, convicts in Glasgow will be given medication to reduce their libido.

The pilot scheme, currently being considered by the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, would be a first for Scotland.

Participants will receive their treatment and then will be monitored by officials.

Margaret-Ann Cummings, whose son Mark was killed by a paedophile when he was eight-years-old, told the Scottish Daily Mail she cautiously welcomed the plan.

"If sex offenders are volunteering to go through with this and willing to change to stop other people being hurt then they should be offered every support possible," she said.

“However, it is vital that authorities are not using the public as guinea pigs in an experiment here. Everything must be tightly controlled.”

The project could serve as a blueprint for similar schemes across the UK.

A spokesman for the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership told The Scotsman: “This initiative is at an early stage... but it is anticipated that anti-libidinal drugs would be used on a case-by-case basis where appropriate.”

In 2008, more than 100 convicted sex offenders at Whatton Prison in Nottinghamshire received medication to reduce their sex drive and the results were described as "encouraging".

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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...-a7627691.html

[Mingle]

Bump.

[MissMischief]

I guess it's a good idea on paper but the concern I have is that 'voluntary' may mean that they are offered this treatment in exchange for part of their punishment (basically as an incentive they can take to receive a lighter sentencing). For example, an offender may be offered a choice: 10 years in prison, or 5 years and chemical castration. The article does not explain whether this is the case or not, but that is how chemical castration has worked historically, and in other jurisdictions.

[Squall Leonhart]

This made me feel great I did it beforehand.

[Lightshade25]

Is there good evidence that this prevents further criminal activity?

[Mingle]

Is there good evidence that this prevents further criminal activity?

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that castrating a sex offender will massively cut his sex drive.

[Al-Meksiki]

I guess it's a good idea on paper but the concern I have is that 'voluntary' may mean that they are offered this treatment in exchange for part of their punishment (basically as an incentive they can take to receive a lighter sentencing). For example, an offender may be offered a choice: 10 years in prison, or 5 years and chemical castration. The article does not explain whether this is the case or not, but that is how chemical castration has worked historically, and in other jurisdictions.

Eh, doesn't make a difference to me. Personally I think its should be involuntary physical castration for first offence but eh, this is good too I suppose.

[Lightshade25]

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that castrating a sex offender will massively cut his sex drive.

Ok