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Louisiana judges not using authority to order chemical castration for sex offenders

By Douglas A. Berman

This local article from Louisiana, headlined "New law for sex offenders not used; chemical castration available, unapplied," reveals one reason why it is hard to find out if a chemical response to sex offending is really worth trying: Few, if any, judges appear to be taking advantage of a 2008 law that allows them to sentence sexual offenders to chemical castration. Pam LaBorde, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Safety and Corrections, said she could not find any inmates who must undergo castration as part of his sentence for a sex crime under the new law. The law, which was heralded by Gov. Bobby Jindal, gives judges the option of ordering injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate, which suppresses a man?s sex drive by reducing testosterone levels...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on January 10, 2011 (boomark / email).