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Are there reliable data on the efficacy of chemical castration?

By Douglas A. Berman

This question in the title of this post is prompted by this interesting new piece out of Australia, which discusses the idea of chemical castration for certain sex offenders.  Here excerpts from the piece: A recent spate of stories about sex offenders has put chemical castration back in the spotlight, sparking ethical concerns and warnings about its effectiveness. The group of drugs used for chemical castration stops the actions of sex hormones by blocking testosterone, which underlies sexual impulses and sexual feelings. With reduced libidos, the aim is to reduce the impulse of convicted rapists, molesters and paedophiles to offend again. But Queensland Council of Civil Liberties president Michael Cope considers chemical castration a human rights abuse, no matter how serious the offender in question is...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on September 21, 2009 (boomark / email).