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The UK government is starting a test program to chemically castrate sex offenders in 20 prisons in two regions.
The goal is to cut repeat offenses by up to 60%. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the plan as part of bigger changes to prison sentencing and overcrowding.
“I’m looking at whether we can use this method,” Mahmood told Parliament. She said it must be used together with therapy to treat deeper reasons for crimes, like the need for control or power. She also warned that if prisons collapse from overcrowding, trials could stop, police might stop making arrests, and chaos could spread.
The treatment involves regular injections to reduce sexual urges. It will be used along with therapy. Similar programs already exist in Germany, Denmark (where it’s voluntary), and Poland (where it’s required for some).
Other changes include:
- Letting some prisoners out early
- Ending most jail terms under 12 months (except for domestic abuse)
- Deporting foreign prisoners with short sentences
- Spending £700 million more each year on probation services
Over the past 30 years, the number of prisoners in England and Wales has nearly doubled to 90,000, even though crime has gone down. This is mainly because sentences have become longer.
Critics say removing short sentences could make crimes like burglary seem less serious. They also doubt whether electronic tags really work. The government plans to build new prisons to replace old ones.
These changes come from a review by ex-Attorney General David Gauke. He wants to reduce repeat crimes and ease prison crowding. Gauke said more money must go to probation services to make sure the changes succeed. If not, the public may lose trust.
Some experts question whether chemical castration actually prevents reoffending in the long term. They point out that sexual crimes often involve complex motives—not just sexual desire—including power, control, or violence, which the drugs don’t address.
The drugs can cause serious side effects, including depression, osteoporosis, and heart problems and growth of breasts in men. Some believe the physical toll is too high, especially if the treatment is long-term or indefinite.
Sources: BBC, MercoPress.
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