A person found guilty of a sex crime against a child in the US state of Louisiana could soon be ordered to undergo surgical castration, in addition to prison time.
Louisiana lawmakers gave final approval to a bill today that would allow judges the option to sentence someone to surgical castration after the person has been convicted of certain aggravated sex crimes — including rape, incest and molestation — against a child younger than 13.
Several states, including Louisiana, currently can order such criminals to receive chemical castration, which uses medications that block testosterone production in order to decrease sex drive. However, surgical castration is a more invasive procedure.
If an offender “fails to appear or refuses to undergo” castration after a judge orders the procedure, they could be hit with “failure to comply” charge and face an additional three to five years in prison, based on the bill’s language.
“This is a consequence,” Republican state Senator Valarie Hodges said during a committee hearing on the bill in April.
“It’s a step over and beyond just going to jail and getting out.”
Currently, there are 2224 people imprisoned in Louisiana for sex crimes against children younger than 13.
However, if the bill becomes law, it can only be applied to those who have convicted a crime that occurred on or after August 1 of this year.
The sponsor of the bill, Democratic state Senator Regina Barrow, has said it would be an extra step in punishment for horrific crimes.
She hopes the legislation will serve as a deterrent to such offences against children.
“We are talking about babies who are being violated by somebody,” Barrow said during an April committee meeting.
“That is inexcusable.”
