Proposal would make surgical castration a potential penalty for statutory rape in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Rankin County Rep. Fred Shanks has filed House Bill 1028 that would increase the penalties for statutory rape.

“Essentially, if there’s a child involved, 13 or younger, and the offender is 17 or older, it’s surgical castration,” explained Shanks.

It would be a new option for the judge in sentencing, and it would be in addition to their time in jail.

“I’m a father, and my daughter is 13, and you know it really hit home when this came up,” noted Shanks. “I think it’s the right thing to do. It sends a strong message. And to be honest, if you know this unfortunate event ever happened to my child, the least of their worries would be this bill.”

We asked more of you what you think of the proposal.

“I don’t have no problem with it,” said Karlos King. “Young children, innocent, pure, I don’t think it would be a problem with it.”

“I’m not opposed to it,” described Angela Jones. “I just think there needs to be some stipulation. I think if it’s a repeat pedophile, absolutely.”

“That 13-year-old or under has got to live with that for the rest of their lives,” noted Gayla Book, whose daughter was raped at 13. “There’s no getting out of it. You know, there’s no 10-year limit for them on whether they get to forget about it in 10 years.”

Several states have laws on the books allowing for chemical castration as a consequence of certain sex crimes. However, last year, Louisiana was the first to approve surgical castration.

Rep. Shanks is hoping it will clear the committee and be brought up for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

“I’d be very curious as to who would vote no on it on the House floor,” he added.