UK will start chemical castration of sex offenders
LONDON—The British government is to rollout the use of medication to suppress the sex drive of sex offenders, as part of a package of measures to reduce the risk of reoffending and alleviate the pressures on the prison system, which is running out of space.
In a statement to Parliament Thursday following the release of an independent sentencing review, Justice Sec. Shabana Mahmood said the so-called chemical castration would be used in 20 prisons in two regions.
“And I am exploring whether mandating the approach is possible,” she said. “Of course, it is vital that this approach is taken alongside psychological interventions that target other causes of offending, like asserting power and control.”
Though the review highlighted the treatment would not be relevant for some sex offenders such as rapists driven by power and control, rather than sexual preoccupation, Mahmood said studies show that chemical castration can lead to a 60 percent reduction in reoffending.
Germany, Denmark
It’s been used in Germany and Denmark on a voluntary basis, and in Poland as mandatory for some offenders.
The recommendation was part of a wide-ranging review led by former justice secretary, David Gauke.
