Castration for Sex Offenders in VA?

$24 million annually to track all these pervs? I agree...off with their jewels!

http://wtopnews.com/?sid=2248862&nid=600

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia legislator is proposing castrating sex offenders as an alternative to the increasing costs to detain and treat them after they've served their prison sentences.

Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger's bill would require the state to study the use of physical castration as an alternative to civil commitment for sexually violent predators. A similar proposal was vetoed four years ago.

The civil commitment program's budget grew from $2.7 million in 2004 to $24 million this year. Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed spending nearly $70 million over the next two years to meet the increasing demands.

Eight other states allow for some form of castration for sex offenders, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Only Louisiana and Texas allow for physical castration

Hmm so Pedophiles and Rapists won't have the cajones to sexually assault in the future? Cool idea but I think these monsters will still be determined to hurt future victims even if they are not packing the equipment to do so with.

I would like to know the actual # of physical castrations performed in TX and LA and if it is indeed working as designed.

I remember thinking of this years ago, back when I was 19 or 20, in some college ethics class. I thought it was a great idea though I probably should have realized it wasn't original. Needless to say, most of my classmates didn't agree with my viewpoint.

Makes no sense to treat them harsher than murderers IMO.

Sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me.

It'll never work.

~Bang

We should cut of the hands/arms of murderers first.

So I'm hearing a lot of support for Sharia law then?

~Bang

Should the castration depend on the severity of the sex offense?

Probably not, the more severe sex crimes such as child rape usually result to life in prison or death row.

While I like this in theory, I have a feeling it would not work.

How about we just keep the most violent ones and the repeat offenders in jail, away from the public? You know, that way it wouldn't matter if they were castrated or not. The only group I could really support this punishment for in any way are violent rapists and possibly repeat child molestors. But for rapists it's about power and control, and child molestors are just ****ed up in the head anyway, so I don't think this would deter either group.

So I think I'm gonna have to call this a really bad idea.

Going back and releasing someone found to be not guilty would be messy.

If it's not cruel and unusual punishment it's probably not the worst idea

Somebody tell me again, about how sharia law is the complete opposite of all of the values and ethics that this country was founded upon.

Sounds like sharia law, to me.

so what

Makes no sense to treat them harsher than murderers IMO.

I think the issue is more the recidivism rate with regard to sex offenders. IMO, they're much worse and an absolute scourge on society and resources. Something needs to be done. I believe most experts are of the opinion that these people simply cannot be helped with counseling and more effective methods are needed. I'm tired of children having to pay the price for a lifetime because of these sexual deviants and predators.

Hmmmmm, I'm a little torn. I don't usually like to resort to things like this, but I also became a dad a little over a year ago. I'd support it, but maybe there should be a trial period for it? I dunno, not really the most level headed person when it comes to the safety of my daughter so I might be just a wee bit biased.

---------- Post added January-26th-2011 at 10:18 AM ----------

I think the issue is more the recidivism rate with regard to sex offenders. IMO, they're much worse and an absolute scourge on society and resources. Something needs to be done. I believe most experts are of the opinion that these people simply cannot be helped with counseling and more effective methods are needed. I'm tired of children having to pay the price for a lifetime because of these sexual deviants and predators.

I can agree with this. Many sexual assault victims take their own lives because of the trauma caused by this, why not leave it up to the offender. They don't have to go out and sexually assault someone, but if they do and are caught, off with their balls!

I wonder if anyone really thinks that without balls the predator would suddenly stop wanting to hurt people.

I'm all for the harshest prison terms for sexual criminals, I just don't think castration will do any good.

It won't remove their need to harm someone, and that's what drives their other need most of the time.

They'll just use other methods.

~Bang

I wonder if anyone really thinks that without balls the predator would suddenly stop wanting to hurt people.

I'm all for the harshest prison terms for sexual criminals, I just don't think castration will do any good.

It won't remove their need to harm someone, and that's what drives their other need most of the time.

They'll just use other methods.

~Bang

hey who said the folks in MD could chime in, this is VA law sir!

what about a trial period, put it into law and see how it works for 5 years. If there is no improvement and the sex offenders are still doing their thing then repeal the law and go back to the way it was, but what if there was improvement? What if it made them think twice and it saved children, women, and some unsuspecting guy (from a fat chick no doubt)? I think at least trying it couldn't hurt....well, it couldn't hurt the victims or potential victims.

hey who said the folks in MD could chime in, this is VA law sir!

what about a trial period, put it into law and see how it works for 5 years. If there is no improvement and the sex offenders are still doing their thing then repeal the law and go back to the way it was, but what if there was improvement? What if it made them think twice and it saved children, women, and some unsuspecting guy (from a fat chick no doubt)? I think at least trying it couldn't hurt....well, it couldn't hurt the victims or potential victims.

Well, I knew i was in Virginia when everyone started driving like Blind Pugh... but I pushed on anyway.

I think the guys slated for the 'trial period" would definitely have a case for cruel and unusual punishment.

the only thing i see that this would definitely stop is pregnancies. The need to hurt would still be there, and probably a whole big heap of frustration and anger to help spur it on.

Now, serious question since I'm not a doctor and only know a little about our physiology.. the penis' ability to become erect using drugs like Viagra and such,, do the balls have to be there for that to occur? I'm sure they do naturally, but with outside help like those drugs, can it become erect? If it can, well... all we'd gain from the castrations is a backlog of ugly paperweights.

~Bang

Well, we could take their junk too...put it in a blender right in front of them Make some sort of surgical orifice for them to pee out of.

*Assuming guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, of course*

Well, we could take their junk too...put it in a blender right in front of them Make some sort of surgical orifice for them to pee out of.

*Assuming guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, of course*

have trogdor burninate it

as the old times judicial execution would say...."off with his penis"

as the old times judicial execution would say...."off with his penis"

I'm pretty sure "off with his head" could still apply.

I'm pretty sure "off with his head" could still apply.

hahahahaaaa niceeee

The whole point of this is not some type of medieval vengeance, but that chemical or surgical castration will address the chemical and hormonal causes of their behavior.

The question for me is given the frequent misconduct by prosecutors in heinous cases, and other flaws in the justice system, how many innocent people are you prepared to castrate to save the cost of incarcerating them when they may have a chance of exoneration.

And how often will innocent people be encouraged to accept a plea deal for castration rather than face permanent incarceration.