UK government to expand chemical castration trial for sex offenders to north of England

Justice secretary David Lammy said a pilot already running in four prisons in the southwest would be extended to 20 prisons across the northwest and northeast, making the treatment available to about 6,400 offenders on a voluntary basis.

Mr Lammy said the medication, which reduces “problematic sexual arousal”, could help restrain offenders who pose a risk to the public. He will also consider whether to make such treatment mandatory for certain sex offenders, a proposal first raised by his predecessor, Shabana Mahmood.

The announcement came as Mr Lammy opened debate on the government’s sentencing bill, billed as the most significant overhaul of sentencing laws in a generation. Among its provisions, offenders serving fixed-term sentences could be released after serving as little as one-third of their term if they follow prison rules and engage with rehabilitation programmes. Currently, many must serve at least two-thirds.

Critics have warned this could see dangerous offenders, including rapists and child abusers, released earlier than before. Conservative shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan said: “It is deeply shameful that they are now choosing to let out some of the worst rapists and paedophiles out earlier from prison, as early as just a third of the way through their sentence.

“How would a child sexually assaulted or a woman dragged into a bush and raped feel about that? It’s a disgrace.”

Mr Lammy defended the reforms, saying early evidence from the southwest trial was “positive” and that chemical castration drugs, used alongside psychological treatment, could reduce the risk of reoffending. “Evidence shows this medication helps suppress urges, which is why we’re expanding access to it. This is part of our comprehensive approach to managing dangerous offenders and preventing reoffending,” he said.

Two types of drugs are currently used in the trial. The majority of offenders take SSRIs – antidepressants such as Prozac – which reduce compulsive sexual thoughts and urges without affecting testosterone. A smaller number are prescribed hormone treatments that lower testosterone levels and mimic physical castration.

The measures are part of wider efforts to tackle prison overcrowding and cut reoffending through rehabilitation as well as punishment.