Jindal Signs Chemical Castration Bill

James Joyner · · 22 comments

Lousiana Governor Bobby Jindal yesterday signed the “Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill” hours after the Supreme Court overturned that state’s law allowing capital punishment for child rapists. It “provides that on a first conviction of aggravated rape, forcible rape, second degree sexual battery, aggravated incest, molestation of a juvenile when the victim is under the age of 13, or an aggravated crime against nature, the court may sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration. On a second conviction of the above listed crimes, the court is required to sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration.”

Ben Domenech thinks Jindal is sending a suggestive message to the Supreme Court. But, of course, the law had passed through the legislative process before the Court’s 5-4 ruling, so it’s merely a politically happy coincidence.

Of course, the Supremes court easily strike down this law on the same grounds as they did capital punishment, given that they have arrogated to themselves the sole power to decide what constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment.” One could certainly argue that robbing a man of his sexuality is at least as barbaric, and certainly more unusual, than killing him.

On a side note, one imagines this will enhance Jindal’s image with the Republican base and not a few moderates as well, thus making him a more attractive candidate for vice president.