treatment of offenders: hormone treatment

Question 1

what did Bradbury and Kaye say about hormone treatments for sexual deviancy?

Answer 1

deviant behaviour comes from biological drives so by suppressing the sexual drive using hormonal agents, deviant behaviour will be reduced.

Question 2

what is an anti androgen?

Answer 2

• substances that inhibit the production, activity or effects of a male sex hormone
• inhibits the production of the offending hormone through the pituitary gland

Question 3

what is testosterone?

Answer 3

a hormone found primarily in men which plays a key role in male reproductive tissue development

Question 4

why is testosterone important?

Answer 4

maintains muscle strength and bone density

Question 5

describe the benefits of anti androgenic pharmacotherapy

Answer 5

• decreases deviant and non deviant sexual urges by lowering testosterone levels
• less invasive than surgical castration
• effects can be reversed through withdrawal

Question 6

what is cyproterone acetate (CPA)

Answer 6

• a drug usually prescribed to women with hormonal imbalances
• administered orally or by injection
• side effects= liver dysfunction

Question 7

how does CPA work as anti androgenic?

Answer 7

• reduces sexual drive and deviant fantasies in 1-3 weeks
• as effective as castration in reducing recidivism

Question 8

what is medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)?

Answer 8

• a female hormone which decreases testosterone functioning
• inhibits the lutenising hormones, which are involved in the production of testosterone
• the female hormone breaks down the production of testosterone, decreasing levels
• lower testosterone= reduced sex drive for paedophiles, less anger for violent offende

Question 9

how do MPAs reduce testosterone functioning?

Answer 9

breaks down and eliminates testosterone and inhibits the production of lutenising hormones which prevents testosterone production

Question 10

how is MPA administered?

Answer 10

injection of 300-400mg intramuscularly every 7-10 days

Question 11

what are the findings of MPA?

Answer 11

• decreased frequency in erotic fantasy, erections and ejaculation,
• some stopped paraphilic behaviour altogether
• side effects- osteoporosis, depression, makes it likely for treatment to be declined

Question 12

What is the rationale behind chemical castration

Answer 12

• purely biological
• could be a hormone imbalance which leads to uncontrollable behaviour

Question 13

Why is hormone therapy used with criminals?

Answer 13

• when there are no other methods of rehabilitation