Louisiana has become the first state to allow judges to order surgical castration for people convicted of certain sex crimes against children. The new law went into effect on August 1st.
Who does it apply to?
* People who are 17 or older.
* People convicted of sex crimes against children under 13, including rape, incest, and molestation.
* People convicted of child pornography.
The law doesn’t just affect men. Women can also be sentenced to surgical castration.
How does it work?
* Judges can choose to order surgical castration as a punishment.
* A doctor in prison will decide if the person is physically able to have the surgery.
What are the reactions?
The law’s supporters say it will protect children and scare people away from hurting kids. But others think it’s too harsh and could be ruled illegal.
Louisiana used to only allow chemical castration. Only a few other countries in the world allow surgical castration.
