Assignment:
Sterilization (Chemical castration)
Textbook: Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T. & Ball, R. A. (2011). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (5th Ed.). Washington D.C: Sage Publications.
In Criminological theory: Context and consequences, the authors reviewed the historical events, or social context, of the early Positivist theories, which included punishments such as life incarceration, death penalty, and sterilization. They noted that the practice of sterilization seemed to fade by the 1970's, yet has found renewed support by some states as a way to deal with sex offenders.
Discuss/answer the following:
- Does your state (Illinois or neighboring state/s) have laws concerning chemical castration? What are they?
- Is this a good way for us to deal with sex offenders? Why?
- What theoretical paradigm that we have covered so far has a better answer to addressing sexual offender issues?