A new law will force pedophiles whose victims were under 13 to pay for their own castration before they’re released from jail.
The HB 379 bill was signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Wednesday after being introduced by Republican State Representative Steve Hurst. It will see child molesters undergo chemical castration, with drugs used to suppress their sexual urges. Anyone who refuses to do so will be considered in violation of their parole and kept in prison.
Explaining the reasoning behind the controversial proposal, Hurst told CBS42: ‘They have marked this child for life and the punishment should fit the crime. ‘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.’
Hurst has also claimed that his bill could deter pedophiles from targeting children, and reduce the number of child sex offenses taking place. But Alabama attorney Raymond Johnson is among those who oppose it.
He thinks existing punishments are sufficient. Johnson explained: ‘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 there life have to be castrated.’
