Sex offenders in two English regions to receive chemical castration drugs as part of national effort to reduce repeat abuse cases

What if there was a way to help some sex offenders manage their impulses—and possibly lower the chances of reoffending?

That’s the question being asked at the highest levels of government, as a new approach involving chemical castration is being rolled out across parts of the UK prison system.

The Justice Secretary Speaks: Pilot Expands to 20 Prisons

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood took to the floor in Parliament to announce a major expansion of a pilot program involving medication designed to suppress sexual urges in offenders.

The idea is to manage “problematic sexual arousal” and reduce repeat offenses.

This initiative, currently being tested in southwest England, will now be trialed in 20 prisons across two regions.

The program involves taking two drugs: one that reduces sexual thoughts, and another that lowers testosterone levels to decrease libido.

Voluntary for Now—But Could It Become Mandatory?

While this treatment is voluntary in countries like Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark—where some offenders even request it—Mahmood hinted at the possibility of making it compulsory in the UK.

She stressed that this kind of medical intervention should go hand-in-hand with psychological therapy.

Many sex crimes, she explained, are rooted not just in sexual desire but also in the urge to dominate or control, and addressing both aspects is critical.

Former Justice Secretary Weighs In: Some Offenders Want Help

David Gauke, who previously served as Justice Secretary, believes this approach could be life-changing for certain individuals.

Speaking on LBC, he said some paedophiles are “desperate” to rid themselves of harmful desires and are willing to try medication to do so.

He emphasized that this method isn’t for everyone, and it won’t work for every type of offender.

However, for those who genuinely want help, he believes it could be a powerful tool in reducing future crimes.

Public Opinion: Younger Generations Support Tougher Measures

A recent poll showed strong support among young people for this kind of intervention.

In fact, 67% of those under 30 said they were in favor of chemically castrating sex offenders, compared to only 24% who opposed it.

It’s a clear sign that many young voters take a tough stance on law and order.

Not a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

While the medication can reduce sexual arousal, experts involved in the review pointed out that it won’t be effective for offenders whose crimes are more about control and violence than sexual obsession.

In such cases, the root causes lie elsewhere and require different strategies.

Gauke also made it clear that this is not a substitute for prison time.

Rather, it’s part of a broader strategy to minimize reoffending, especially since most prisoners are eventually released back into society.

Global Context: Kazakhstan’s Harsh Measures

While the UK is experimenting with voluntary medication, other countries have taken a more extreme route.

Earlier this year, Kazakhstan began chemically castrating 11 paedophiles in the northern region of Kostanay.

The offenders, who were convicted of abusing minors, were given libido-suppressing injections—up to 24 per year—at the state’s expense.

In Kazakhstan, laws on child sex crimes are among the strictest in the world.

After release, offenders’ addresses are made public so parents can stay informed about potential threats in their neighborhoods.

Other Sentencing Reforms: Easing Pressure on Prisons

This new initiative is part of a wider reform package aimed at easing overcrowding in UK prisons.

Other proposals include releasing certain violent and sexual offenders earlier, and replacing short prison sentences (less than 12 months) with alternative punishments like driving bans or community service—except in serious cases like domestic violence.

Gauke’s review also suggests the immediate deportation of foreign nationals who receive prison sentences of three years or less.

If fully implemented, these changes could reduce the prison population by almost 10,000.

As of now, England and Wales are just a few hundred inmates away from breaking the all-time prison population record.

Political Backlash: Is This Too Soft on Crime?

Not everyone supports the changes.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has spoken out against scrapping short sentences, warning that it could amount to “decriminalising” crimes such as burglary and assault.

He also criticized potential sentence reductions for serious offenders, calling it a “slap in the face” to victims.

In his words, giving criminals lighter sentences is “a gift” that may allow them to reoffend freely.

What’s Next?

The road ahead raises some big questions: Will this approach actually reduce reoffending?

Can the balance between justice, rehabilitation, and public safety be maintained?

And if chemical castration proves effective, will the UK follow other nations in making it mandatory?

One thing is clear—when it comes to tackling repeat offenses and easing the pressure on prisons, bold ideas are on the table.

The coming months will show whether these controversial changes gain momentum or face strong political resistance.