The United Kingdom is expanding its voluntary chemical castration program to more prisons, aiming to keep sex offenders under control and reduce reoffending rates. Justice Secretary David Lammy affirmed on Saturday that the policy, which uses hormone suppressants to lower sexual urges, has not been abandoned and is being extended to new areas.
The scheme was initially introduced in May 2025 by then-Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The government has since expanded the pilot trial, originally in southwest England, to 20 prisons across England, making the treatment accessible to approximately 6,400 offenders. Lammy stated, "It has not been abandoned. In fact we've extended the areas in the country where this can be done. It's important these dangerous individuals are kept under control."
The treatment, which involves SSRIs and hormone suppressants, is part of a broader initiative focused on medical and psychological rehabilitation. Participation in the program can be factored into a prisoner's risk assessment, potentially allowing for earlier release on license as a measure to alleviate prison overcrowding. However, individuals released under these conditions are required to continue their medication under strict probation monitoring in the community.
Concerns about the policy being phased out were addressed by Lammy, who insisted on its continued importance. While currently voluntary, the Ministry of Justice has previously explored the possibility of making the treatment mandatory for the most serious offenders, including those convicted of child sexual abuse. Mahmood had previously stated in Parliament her openness to such measures.
An independent sentencing review conducted by former Tory justice minister Lord David Gauke recommended building a comprehensive evidence base for chemical suppression of sex offenders and exploring options for continued funding. The review noted that sexual offenses constituted 21 percent of adult immediate custodial sentences at the end of March 2025.
Advocates argue that the drugs can help manage intrusive thoughts in repeat offenders and reduce public risk when combined with rehabilitation programs. Critics, however, raise ethical concerns about compulsory medical treatment and question the effectiveness of the medication for offenders whose crimes are driven by factors other than sexual impulse, such as violence or a desire for power.
The UK has a history of using medical libido suppressants on a smaller scale, with trials beginning at HMP Whatton in Nottinghamshire in 2007.