UK Considers Mandatory Chemical Castration Expansion

The UK government, led by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is poised to expand the use of chemical castration for sex offenders, with consideration being given to making the intervention mandatory to address high reoffending rates and severe prison overcrowding. The program, already piloted in southwest England, will soon be rolled out to 20 prisons nationwide and may expand further. Some sex offenders reportedly seek this intervention voluntarily to manage their impulses. While chemical castration is offered voluntarily in most European countries, the UK is debating compulsory use, mirroring practices in some US states and Eastern European nations. Recent violent incidents in UK prisons have fueled public concern and urgency for reform. The proposal has sparked debate, with experts and former officials emphasizing the need for strong evidence and psychological support alongside medical treatment.