UK Considers Expanding Chemical Castration Program for Sex Offenders Amid Overcrowded Prisons [WATCH]

The British government is weighing the expansion of a chemical castration program for sex offenders as part of a broader effort to address chronic prison overcrowding, with Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood stating she is “not squeamish” about making the treatment mandatory.

The announcement came Thursday in Parliament as the Labour Party-led government responded to a report that laid out more than 40 proposals aimed at reducing the prison population by 10,000 inmates.

The report, authored by a former Conservative government minister, emphasizes the need for alternative approaches to incarceration, especially for offenders serving short sentences.

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One of the most debated proposals involves expanding the use of chemical castration — the administration of medication to suppress sexual urges and lower testosterone levels — among male sex offenders.

The treatment, which has been piloted in prisons in southwest England since 2002, is now set to expand to 20 more facilities across two additional regions.

“For some, offending relates to power, but for another subset of offenders, the combination of chemical suppressants and psychological interventions can, we believe, have a big and positive impact,” Mahmood said in her statement to lawmakers.

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Under the program, inmates are given two drugs: one aimed at limiting sexual thoughts and another designed to reduce testosterone levels and what the government calls “problematic sexual arousal.”

The treatment is paired with counseling to address underlying psychological factors related to power and control.

According to one study cited in the report, reoffending rates dropped by as much as 60% among those who received the treatment.

Currently, participation in the program is voluntary.

The report acknowledges legal and ethical concerns about mandating such treatment, particularly in light of the UK’s long-standing commitment to informed consent in medical settings.

Medical professionals cannot be compelled to administer treatment against a patient’s will, and any move to make the program mandatory could face legal challenges.

At the end of March, more than 20% of the UK’s prison population consisted of inmates convicted of sex offenses.

However, the report cautions that chemical castration should not be used as a blanket solution.

“It should never be used as a risk management tool or standalone rehabilitative offer, and it is only appropriate for a limited number of sex offenders,” the report states.

Internationally, chemical castration is also in use in several European countries. Sweden is conducting small-scale clinical trials at a prison in Stockholm.

In Germany and Denmark, the treatment is offered voluntarily, while in Poland, courts may order mandatory chemical castration for certain sex crimes.

In addition to expanding the chemical castration program, the new report recommends a series of sentencing reforms.

These include reducing the use of prison for sentences under 12 months, promoting alternatives such as community service or fines, implementing early release policies for inmates who demonstrate good behavior, and requiring electronic tagging for offenders convicted of abuse against women and girls.

Not all responses to the proposals have been favorable.

The opposition Conservative Party has criticized the plan to scrap short-term prison sentences, warning that it could undermine public safety.

“This is a gift to criminals, who will be free to offend with impunity,” said Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick.

However, the Howard League for Penal Reform, the world’s oldest prison charity, expressed support for many of the report’s recommendations.

Andrea Coomber, the organization’s Chief Executive, praised the government for accepting most of the proposals but noted, “The prisons crisis will not be solved by half-measures.”

Senior police officials also voiced concerns, noting that if fewer offenders are held in prison, law enforcement agencies will require greater resources to manage risks within communities.

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