9 replies to this topic

[Grockel]

The purpose of prison is to reform criminals, however this is not always possible. Many criminals repeatedly break the law and are undeterred by the prospect of punishment. There are several factors believed to contribute to criminal behavior, one important factor being high testosterone levels. It has been proven that testosterone is linked to aggression, in 1990 James Dabbs studied 4,462 men and concluded that "the overall picture among the high-testosterone men is one of delinquency, substance abuse and a tendency toward excess." Even in women, Dabbs found high testosterone levels were related to crimes of unprovoked violence. Statistically men commit significantly more crimes than women, specifically violent crimes.

We know that castration can drastically alter an animals behavior, most notably by reducing sex drive and aggression. Not all aggression is caused by testosterone, however the University of California found that in 60% of dogs aggression could be treated with castration. Castration also causes sterility which, considering the inability of prisoners to raise their children, may be an added bonus.

Violent criminals destroy their lives and the lives of others, is society not morally obliged to save them from themselves via castration?

 

[SimonT]

nope

[skycop]

So, if a person went out, got drunk and ended up giving someone a smack, I agree he should be punished but I'm not sure chopping his conkers off is the right answer!

[Sub-seven]

The purpose of prison is to reform criminals, however this is not always possible. Many criminals repeatedly break the law and are undeterred by the prospect of punishment. There are several factors believed to contribute to criminal behavior, one important factor being high testosterone levels. It has been proven that testosterone is linked to aggression, in 1990 James Dabbs studied 4,462 men and concluded that "the overall picture among the high-testosterone men is one of delinquency, substance abuse and a tendency toward excess." Even in women, Dabbs found high testosterone levels were related to crimes of unprovoked violence. Statistically men commit significantly more crimes than women, specifically violent crimes.

We know that castration can drastically alter an animals behavior, most notably by reducing sex drive and aggression. Not all aggression is caused by testosterone, however the University of California found that in 60% of dogs aggression could be treated with castration. Castration also causes sterility which, considering the inability of prisoners to raise their children, may be an added bonus.

Violent criminals destroy their lives and the lives of others, is society not morally obliged to save them from themselves via castration?

 

... are they not morally obliged to save themselves from destroying their lives and the lives of others?

[Narpo]

Errr, no!

[Sub-seven]

Why not?

[meditate]

To my knowledge there is no consensus in the scientific community that this is the case. Plenty of studies indicate other reasons other than testosterone. To highlight my point how do we explain the growth in social violence of women with their Ladette behaviour on a Friday night? - perhaps we should pull their ovaries out to lower their oestrogen?

[Fritz@Customs]

If you take the view that testosterone is the cause of such violent crime, what equivalent punishment would you apply to deprive violent women of their surplus testosterone?

 

Castration is clearly a gender-biased punishment and would probably end up being unlawful from an equality standpoint  , even if our politicians were daft enough to think that Eugenics was any more sensible now that it was in the 1920's and 30's and introduced such measures.

 

I'd also like to see the proposals for reattaching any testicles returned on appeal 

[GeorgeH]

Nice idea, but in the US several jurisdictions tried voluntary castration for sex offenders. If they volunteered to have their family jewels chopped off, they would get early release. But guess what: it didn't work. They adapted to their limitations and came up with new ways to commit similar crimes.

[dolly1966]

So, if a person went out, got drunk and ended up giving someone a smack, I agree he should be punished but I'm not sure chopping his conkers off is the right answer!

 

 

Conkers.....................never heard that before :)

 

You are funny