Physical castration request by imprisoned sex offender is denied by Florida judge
A Florida judge has refused an imprisoned sex offender’s request to be physically castrated.
Circuit Judge Hale Stancil of Ocala said he had no jurisdiction and denied the request last week, the Ocala Star Banner reports. Lester Leroy Williams had written the judge and asked for a modification of his sentence to include the physical castration at state expense.
Williams is serving a 10-year sentence after pleading no contest to second-degree felony sexual battery in 2008. After his prison term he must serve 4.5 years of probation.
Stancil told the Broward Palm Beach New Times that he has heard about chemical castration, but he’s never had an inmate ask for physical castration and he doesn’t think he has the authority to order it. “In 32 years, I have never had this request before,” Stancil said.
According to the New Times, Florida law requires repeat sex offenders to receive a chemical hormone that reduces testosterone beginning a week before their release. Courts may also order the treatment for first-time sex offenders. Convicts ordered to undergo the chemical castration may ask for physical castration instead, the story says. Williams has not been ordered to have chemical castration.
Hat tip to Sentencing Law and Policy.
