‘Chemical Castration’ Drugs will be given to Convicted Child Molesters under Alabama Bill

June 6, 2019

Chemical Castration of Child Molesters Right or Wrong?

Steve Hurst, a Republican from Munford, Alabama, has introduced a bill that would require sex offenders who've committed offenses against children under the age of 13 years to pay for their own chemical castration before being released from state custody.

Alabama State Legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 379 (HB379), legislating mandatory “chemical castration in addition to any other penalty or condition prescribed by law” for anyone eligible for parole & convicted of a sex offense involving someone 13 years old or younger.

He has been issuing similar bills since 2005, but this is the 1st time a proposed bill has moved beyond committee stage & it has been signed into law by the Governor Kay Ivey, today, May 6, 2019.

“I have often wondered what that child went through, physically & mentally, & what kind of shape he is in now,” Hurst said to media. “They (sex offenders) have marked these children for life. They will never get over it. And if they have marked children for life, they need to be marked for life.”

In the past, some states have passed similar laws, but to what extent these regulations are being enforced is unclear. To date, no state has ever passed a law going so far as mandating surgical castration, only voluntary.

The bill i.e. HB 379, would require sex offenders to undergo chemical castration upon release from prison.

“If we do something of this nature it would deter something like this happening again in Alabama & maybe reduce the numbers,” Hurst said.

But Hurst’s ambitious plan has also provoked protests nationwide.

C. Leonard of Prison Reform tweeted, “There is NO data that confirms this is necessary or even works…its a vile reflection of someone’s personal beliefs. And I do agree it should be challenged under the 8th amendment as cruel and unusual punishment. This bill is simply ridiculous and Steve Hurst should be reprimanded and ousted based on this alone.”

Civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union also deemed mandatory chemical castration a “cruel and unusual punishment.”

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