Britain to Use Chemical Castration on Sex Offenders Amid Prison Crisis
The British government will introduce medication to suppress the sex drive in sex offenders as part of a broader plan to cut reoffending and relieve the country’s overcrowded prison system.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced Thursday that chemical castration will operate in 20 prisons across two regions, with the possibility of making it mandatory.
“Of course, it is vital that this approach is taken alongside psychological interventions that target other causes of offending, like asserting power and control,” Mahmood said in Parliament after the release of an independent sentencing review.
While the review noted the treatment doesn’t suit all offenders, Mahmood cited studies showing it can reduce reoffending by up to 60%.
Germany and Denmark already offer similar treatment voluntarily, while Poland mandates it for certain offenders.
Associated Press reported that former Justice Secretary David Gauke led the broader review, which aims to fix the prison system as it nears full capacity.
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Mahmood launched an early-release program shortly after Labour regained power last July. She also commissioned the sentencing review to stabilize a system she says the Conservatives had “neglected.”
“If our prisons collapse, courts are forced to suspend trials,” she warned.
“The police must halt their arrests, crime goes unpunished, criminals run amok and chaos reigns. We face the breakdown of law and order in this country.”
The review urges lawmakers to scrap sentences under 12 months, release inmates earlier for good behavior, and allow judges more discretion with alternatives like driving bans.
It also recommends boosting probation funding and expanding electronic monitoring for offenders in the community.
Mahmood pledged £700 million ($930 million) annually for probation.
Conservative justice spokesperson Robert Jenrick criticized the plan, warning that “decriminalizing” minor crimes and relying on tags is like “smoke alarms putting out bonfires.”
