LONDON, AP — The British government has announced a significant initiative aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending among sex offenders through the implementation of medication designed to suppress sexual drive. This approach is part of a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing the prison system, which is currently experiencing severe overcrowding.

In a statement made to Parliament on Thursday, following the release of an independent sentencing review, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood outlined details of this initiative, often referred to as chemical castration. This treatment will initially be offered in 20 prisons across two regions, with Mahmood considering the possibility of making it a mandatory option for certain offenders. “Of course, it is vital that this approach is taken alongside psychological interventions that target other causes of offending, like asserting power and control,” she stated, pointing to the importance of a multifaceted approach.

While the review acknowledged that chemical castration may not be suitable for all sex offenders—particularly those whose actions are driven by a desire for power rather than sexual impulse—Mahmood highlighted research indicating that this intervention could result in a remarkable 60% reduction in the likelihood of reoffending. Similar methods have been employed in other European countries, such as Germany and Denmark, where it has been available on a voluntary basis, and in Poland, where it is mandatory for certain offenders.

The recommendations for this initiative emerged from an extensive review led by former justice secretary David Gauke. The review sought to explore viable methods for reducing reoffending rates while simultaneously advocating for reforms to the prison system, which is currently operating at near-capacity levels.

One of Mahmood’s initial actions upon assuming her role as justice minister—after the Labour Party regained power following a 14-year period—was to endorse an early-release program aimed at alleviating prison overcrowding. “I inherited a judicial system that had been neglected for years by the previous Conservative government,” she asserted, emphasizing the necessity of her review as a means to stabilize the system. Mahmood underscored the potential consequences of a collapsing prison system, stating, “If our prisons collapse, courts are forced to suspend trials. The police must halt their arrests, crime goes unpunished, criminals run amok and chaos reigns. We face the breakdown of law and order in this country.”

The review further proposed that certain criminals could be granted earlier release from prison than the current regulations allow, while also recommending that judges be afforded greater discretion in imposing alternative penalties, such as driving bans. Moreover, it called for the abolition of sentences shorter than 12 months, except in specific cases such as domestic abuse. Additionally, it advocated for the immediate deportation of foreign nationals sentenced to three years or less.

Recognizing the need for enhanced support for rehabilitation, the review urged increased investment in the probation service, enabling officers to allocate more time to working with offenders in a bid to facilitate their reintegration into society. In response, Mahmood announced a substantial funding increase of £700 million ($930 million) annually for probation services within the next few years.

David Gauke, the former justice secretary, commented on the importance of adequate funding for rehabilitation efforts, cautioning that without proper resources, the government risks failing in its objectives and could face public backlash. “If the government doesn’t put the resources into probation that is necessary, then the risk here is that we won’t make progress on rehabilitation that we need,” he remarked.

The prison population in England and Wales has surged dramatically over the past three decades, nearly doubling to close to 90,000 inmates, despite a concurrent decline in crime rates. This increase is partially attributed to the trend of imposing longer sentences fueled by societal demands for stricter crime policies.

In light of these developments, Robert Jenrick, the justice spokesman for the Conservative Party, expressed concerns that abolishing short sentences would essentially “decriminalize” offenses such as burglary, theft, and assault. He criticized the proposed tagging measures as ineffective, likening them to “smoke alarms putting out bonfires” in their ability to prevent reoffending.

In a rebuttal to these criticisms, Mahmood defended her government’s initiatives, stating that she is working to rectify the issues left by the Conservative Party and highlighted the current administration’s commitment to the largest expansion of the prison estate since the Victorian era of the 19th century.