Britain is contemplating making chemical castration obligatory for sure intercourse offenders to assist decrease reoffending charges and alleviate overcrowding in prisons, the Justice Secretary mentioned Thursday.
The proposal would construct on a pilot scheme launched in 2022 in prisons in southwest England, the place libido-suppressing treatment is obtainable on a voluntary foundation.
An unbiased overview led by former justice secretary David Gauke forecast a shortfall of practically 9,800 jail locations by early 2028. Among its suggestions is wider use of chemical suppressants to decrease reoffending charges.
“The review has recommended we continue a pilot of so-called medication to manage problematic sexual arousal,” Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood instructed MPs.
“I will go further with a national rollout, beginning in two regions covering 20 prisons. And I am exploring whether mandating the approach is possible.”
Mahmood mentioned psychological therapy would stay important, notably the place offenders had been motivated by energy and management, quite than sexual urges.
Asked about making the therapy obligatory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson instructed reporters: “The scientific evidence is clear that the use of chemical suppressants may well be effective in tackling dangerous offenders, and that is why we are expanding the use of it.”
As of March 31, 14,863 folks had been serving sentences for sexual offences in England and Wales, making up some 21% of the grownup jail inhabitants. Those convicted of violence towards others symbolize 34%.
Chemical castration is utilized in international locations together with Poland, Russia, South Korea, Latvia, Denmark and Germany, in addition to a number of U.S. states.
In California, offenders convicted of a second intercourse crime towards youngsters underneath the age of 13 should endure therapy earlier than being launched.
The U.Okay. overview additionally advocates creating specialist home violence courts, increasing digital tagging for offenders towards girls and women, and enhancing authorized coaching on gender-based violence.
But the proposals have drawn criticism.
Pia Sinha, chief government of the Prison Reform Trust NGO, mentioned forcing medical therapy raises “clear ethical considerations” which may put medical practitioners in an “invidious” place.
Criminal protection lawyer Marcus Johnstone mentioned it “won’t solve anything in the long run without adequate funding for counselling and psychological support that is critical to helping the rehabilitation of sex offenders.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com