The serial rapist known as the "Hwakang Wolf" who recently raised controversy by gaining admission to National Taiwan University said that in order to ease the public's dismay, he would be willing to accept treatment to reduce his libido if paroled, prison officials said yesterday.
"He [the rapist] said he is confident that he would not break the law again. But he said he'd be willing to take any medication including chemi-castration if that could reduce the public's fear of him," said Chang Jung-chang (張榮昌), chief rehabilitation officer of Taipei Prison, where the rapist, surnamed Yang (楊), is being held.
Chemi-castration is a measure aimed at temporarily reducing sexual desire by taking chemicals via injections, pills or liquids.
Yang was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1996 for multiple sex and violence offenses. According to the Shihlin District Court's judgment, Yang had raped 19 women, attempted to rape 11 and robbed four individuals from 1994 to 1996. Most of his victims were college students.
The Taipei Prison on Aug. 15 recommended that Yang be granted parole. The Ministry of Justice is now reviewing the application. But the possibility of Yang's release and university entry has raised public concern that he could rape again.
Lin Chien-lung (林建隆), a Soochow University English literature professor who is famous for his own reformation from being a convicted criminal, visited Yang in prison last week, Chang said.
Chang cited Yang as saying that he and Lin discussed how he could make himself accepted by society.
"He said that he would like to accept intensive monitoring and supervision," Chang said, "he's also willing to accept any psychotherapy and medication if doctors felt that it was necessary."
Chang said Yang did not mention chemi-castration himself. When asked about it he replied that he could accept that, as long as he could show his sincere intention to the public by doing so.
The Ministry of Justice had in 1997 considered amending the Criminal Code to introduce chemi-castration for serial rapists in order to prevent recidivism. However, the idea did not become government policy or law.
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