In response to James Burns’ letter on chemical castration I would like to say I agree wholeheartedly.

As a former Mankato State University corrections/sociology major in the late 1970s, I and my fellow students studied extensively criminal sexual deviation and in particular that perversion directed toward children. At the time our professor [originally from University of California-Berkley) attempted to “teach,” or should I say brainwash, her students into her “realization” that treatment not only could be most successful but complete reinstatement into communities was the only way to ensure full rights to these offending individuals.

We studied individuals incarcerated at what was then St. Peter State Hospital. Remember that the 1970s spawned prison reform around the country. It was the “Brubaker” era. This prison reform also touched our then-state hospital prisons. Needless to say our studies indicated exactly the opposite of what our professor taught. Treatment programs were not, in fact, successful at all. They were a dismal failure then and now.

These prisoners have such a high recidivism rate that no other crime compares. To chemically castrate these individuals is possibly the only way to control the urges of and acts that they commit. This, of course, would have to be lifelong and medications or injections would have to be given to them along with perhaps, psychoactive medications at a probation office or clinic as strict guidelines and intense oversight prevail. It could be argued that “anger” is the underlying cause of their behaviors, and they could use tools other than their own bodies to commit horrendous acts on their young victims. Then I say to those critics, I suppose the only humane thing to do to ensure their actions are not inflicted upon any other innocents. Lock them up for life.

 

Vicki Pestorious

Albert Lea