By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Former Governor Don Siegelman says he thinks sex offenders who assault children should face mandatory castration or worse. Siegelman made the comments Monday while meeting with Dothan residents to discuss his possible bid for Governor in 2006. His statements also came the day before the House and Senate voted to pass legislation that toughens sentences for sex offenders -- but doesn't include mandatory castration. Siegelman also says if it were up to him the state would have the death penalty on the first sexual offense. The legislation that was approved Tuesday requires some sex offenders to wear electronic monitoring devices for 10 years or longer after they get out of prison. But legislators say they did not include mandatory castration because they thought it might make the entire bill illegal. Siegelman says he doesn't oppose ankle bracelets. But he says the tracking devices are like cell phones and are not necessarily reliable.