Alabama lawmakers pass bill to chemically castrate convicted child sex offenders as a condition of parole
One lawmaker in Alabama has a plan to permanently and physically punish convicted sex offenders for their crimes against children. The bill, which is known as HB 379, will be able to make those sex offenders undergo chemical castration before they are released from prison. HB 379 was introduced by State Representative Steve Hurst (R), Calhoun County. He has said that the bill will be for sex offenders over 21-years-old who have committed sex offenses against children.
According to WIAT, Hurst said: "They have marked this child for life and the punishment should fit the crime." This is not the first time that the state representative has tried to introduce a bill for chemical castration.
Hurst said in a statement: "I had people call me in the past when I introduced it and said don't you think this is inhumane? I asked them what's more inhumane than when you take a little infant child, and you sexually molest that infant child when the child cannot defend themselves or get away, and they have to go through all the things they have to go through. If you want to talk about inhumane--that's inhumane."
The state representative is hoping that this will make any sex offenders think again before committed any sexual acts. He said: "If we do something of this nature it would deter something like this happening again in Alabama and maybe reduce the numbers."
Attorney Raymond Johnson said: "They're going to challenge it under the 8th Amendment Constitution. They're going to claim that it is cruel and unusual punishment for someone who has served their time and for the rest of their life have to be castrated."
Johnson also said that child molestation is a serious offense and that it already has dire consequences such as time served in prison followed by probation or parole. The bill has been sent to Governor Kay Ivey's desk for her signature.
If you have any interesting story for us, please reach out to us on (323) 421-7514