MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A recently introduced bill in Alabama wants those who have been convicted of sex offenses against children to be castrated before leaving prison.
Republican State Rep. Steve Hurst hopes the bill, HB 365, will deter sex crimes against children, WIAT reported.
Surgical castration would be required before leaving prison for offenders over the age of 21 whose victims were 12 years old or younger.
The bill still needs to pass the judiciary committee before the Alabama legislature considers it.
“They have marked this child for life, and the punishment should fit the crime,” Hurst said.
While opponents of the bill have called it inhumane, Hurst said sexual molestation of a child is even more inhumane.
Alabamians are mixed on whether the bill should become law.
“Somebody that wants to mess with a little girl or little boy that age should be castrated, and they should not be able to mess with any other kids,” Keith Dison told WIAT.
“I understand prison and going to prison for a long time for some kind of crime like that, but to physical mutilate someone…that’s a little out there…it’s crazy,” Jessica George said.
