ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Prime Minister Gaston Browne has
reiterated in Parliament his call for chemical castration to be considered for serial rapists
taking the position he previously expressed publicly directly to the House of Representatives.
Speaking Monday during the wider debate on crime, sentencing and the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2026, Browne said tougher measures are needed for people who repeatedly commit serious sexual offences.
“I’m an advocate of chemical castration,” Browne told lawmakers as he discussed changes he wants addressed through sexual offences legislation. He went further, saying that in the case of serial rapists,
surgical castration should also be considered
.
The parliamentary remarks are significant because Browne had already raised chemical castration publicly earlier this month, particularly in relation to repeat child sex offenders. He previously described it as an option that should be considered alongside tougher prison sentences.
His earlier position generated criticism, including from Grenadian criminal defence attorney Jerry Edwin, who described the idea as “barbaric” and a “political stunt.” Browne subsequently defended the proposal, maintaining that it should be available as an option under the law for repeat offenders.
Monday’s intervention marked a further step in that public debate, with Browne putting his position on the parliamentary record while lawmakers consider a broader package of tougher criminal penalties.
Browne argued that lengthy prison terms alone may not adequately address serial sexual offenders and said the country must consider stronger measures to protect potential victims.
His comments came as he again criticised what he considers inadequate sentences for serious sexual crimes and said Parliament has a responsibility to establish tougher sentencing parameters.
The prime minister’s remarks do not mean chemical or surgical castration has been enacted as a criminal penalty. In the parliamentary passage, he expressed support for introducing such options while discussing anticipated changes dealing with sexual offences.
Browne has maintained that the measures he is advocating should be grounded in law and targeted at repeat offenders. His renewed comments in Parliament indicate that the issue remains part of the government’s wider discussion over how Antigua and Barbuda should punish serious and repeat sexual offences.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua PM says surgical castration should be considered for serial rapists.