Shabana Mahmood, the Lord Chancellor, is considering mandatory chemical castration for the most serious sex offenders, according to government sources. This potential move is part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing prison overcrowding in England and Wales by implementing various radical measures, including releasing and electronically tagging offenders who have completed half of their sentences. The plan also entails exploring the findings of an independent sentencing review, which includes looking into drugs that suppress libido or reduce sexual thoughts among sex offenders. This review by David Gauke proposes 48 recommendations, including one to establish an evidence-based understanding of the efficacy of such drugs. Further, Mahmood is set to outline a major overhaul of the criminal justice system, with spokesmen indicating that she is likely to endorse key measures such as releasing well-behaved prisoners earlier or allowing certain offenders to serve their sentences in the community. However, not all of Gauke’s suggestions, such as the early parole eligibility for dangerous offenders earning “credits,” are being considered positively. The review advocates for continued funding and support for services related to chemical suppression, currently in pilot programs, suggesting expansion across the country. The approach involves using selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to curb invasive sexual thoughts and anti-androgens to reduce libido. Parallel to this, psychiatric approaches addressing underlying causes of sexual offending, such as the desire for power or control, would continue. Partnerships with specific programs in Germany, Denmark, and Poland are being considered to study their implementation. It’s emphasized that any participation in such programs in England and Wales would remain voluntary.
Among the main sentencing reforms proposed by Gauke, there are calls for limiting short custodial sentences to exceptional circumstances, extending suspended sentences up to three years, giving courts more flexibility in using fines and ancillary orders, adjusting probation supervision levels based on risk and compliance, expanding specialist courts for domestic abuse support, tagging all perpetrators of violence against women and girls, and improving training for practitioners and the judiciary on such violence. Gauke also proposes revised statutory purposes for sentencing, emphasizing the importance of victim protection alongside punishment and rehabilitation. He stresses the need for increased funding and resources for the probation service, warning of public backlash if the service is not adequately supported. This call for more resources is echoed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, advocating for sufficient investment to manage offenders’ risks outside prison effectively. While penal reform groups like the Howard League welcome these recommendations, seeing them as a solution to the prison capacity crisis, the Conservative party has voiced criticism, branding Gauke’s proposals as effectively decriminalizing offenses like burglary, theft, and assault.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/22/shabana-mahmood-considers-chemical-castration-for-serious-sex-offenders
