“Chemical Castration” for Sex Offenders

Abstract

To the Editor: California recently enacted legislation requiring either surgical castration or “chemical castration” — a misnomer — for persons convicted of repeated sexual crimes against children.1 Other states may follow suit. The California law requires that parolees either receive periodic injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate or undergo surgical castration. The legislation applies to parolees with a second conviction and to some first-time offenders whose victims are 12 years old or younger. The drug treatment begins one week before release from prison and continues for as long as the state Department of Corrections deems necessary. No physician is required to participate. . . .