Asger Risom
A pilot program targeting repeat offenders could introduce a controversial method aimed at reducing recidivism and easing prison overcrowding.
The UK government is weighing the use of chemical castration for sex offenders as part of a broader overhaul of its criminal justice system.
The proposal, as reported by 20Minutos, revealed Thursday by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood in Parliament, includes a pilot program in 20 prisons and could eventually allow for mandatory treatment in certain cases.
The announcement comes amid mounting pressure to ease overcrowding in British prisons.
A government-commissioned report from former Conservative minister David Gauke outlines the measure as one tool to help control what Mahmood called “problematic sexual arousal” in repeat offenders, including pedophiles.
The hormonal treatment, she said, would be paired with psychological interventions focused on deeper behavioral causes like the pursuit of power and control.
“We will explore all options to reduce the risk of reoffending..
From Early Release to New Prisons
Mahmood’s announcement is part of a wider push by the Labour government, in power since July, to manage the prison population through both construction and reform. That includes the launch of three new prison facilities and an early release scheme for low-risk inmates.
The justice secretary also confirmed her support for a “earned progression” model, which would move inmates through three phases: custody, post-custody, and risk, depending on behavior and the severity of their crimes. High-risk individuals could be returned to custody if they reoffend.
However, Mahmood rejected a recommendation to allow early parole for dangerous offenders, such as terrorists, if they earned “rehabilitation credits.” She did, however, pledge an additional £700 million annually for the Probation Service and more resources to monitor offenders in the community.
A Broader Debate Over Sentencing
The proposal arrives amid a growing national conversation about the effectiveness and ethics of incarceration. The report suggests courts shift away from short prison terms in favor of fines, bans on travel or driving, or even football attendance restrictions.
There’s also a call to expand the use of deferred sentences for low-risk offenders with specific needs—like pregnant women or people with substance use disorders—and to deport more foreign offenders.
Specialized domestic violence courts would also be expanded under the reform.
While chemical castration is already used in some parts of the US and elsewhere, it remains highly controversial and is criticized by human rights advocates.
In the UK, the conversation is just beginning—and likely to intensify as the pilot program takes shape.