The Trouble with Larry

Hernandez believes McQuay is in many ways fairly typical of a serial pedophile. The psychologist says that if McQuay is sincere in his desire not to molest again, the best thing for him to do is stay in prison instead of having his testicles removed.

"He should really be out of circulation. And he knows how to do that. He could admit to other crimes -- get prosecuted for those other crimes and stay in jail. Because at this point in his life, I would not recommend for one moment that he be treated on an out-patient basis. He needs to be confined. This man is a predator."

But confessing to other crimes against children and staying in jail past 1998 is not an option that appeals to Larry Don McQuay. He is convinced, or at least claims to be, that through castration and continued therapy he can be cured of his almost lifelong need to molest children. If he doesn't get his operation before the end of his sentence, McQuay says he will remain a danger until he can obtain the surgery in the free world.

Right now, his lawsuit is pending in a federal court in Houston, but the state attorney general's office has asked that the judge dismiss the inmate's petition. The state is arguing that the prison system does not have the authority or responsibility to provide inmates access to elective surgery.

McQuay, meanwhile, says he hopes to one day lead something resembling a normal life. His family has told him not to contact them when he gets out of prison, and he's resigned to the prospect of being ostracized. So perhaps, he says, he'll start a new life by moving out of state. Maybe he can start a little landscaping business. And maybe, he adds, he might even get married again.

"But if that happens," says McQuay, "I obviously would have some explaining to do."

(Andrea Barnett in Austin contributed to this story.)