Shabana Mahmood considers chemical casting for serious sex offenders | Prison and trial
Government sources say Prime Minister Lord Shabana Mahmood is considering compulsory chemical casting of the worst sex offenders.
The ministerial department plans to expand pilots to 20 regions as part of a package of “radical” measures to free up thousands of prisoners and alleviate the overcrowding of prisons in England and Wales.
In addition to releasing and marking killers and rapists after half of her sentence, she also considered the findings of an independent verdict review that also called on the government to establish evidence of drugs based on “suppressing sexual desire” or reducing “sexual thoughts.”
They are 48 suggestions made by commentary chairman David Gauke.
Mahmood is expected to address the commons on Thursday to outline the measures she will accept in the criminal justice overhaul.
Government sources said she is expected to be subject to key measures for the review, including the fact that prisoners who behave well should be released on the label after serving one-third of their sentence.
She also accepted that those who committed serious or violent crimes could be released in the community after half of their sentences.
One of Gauke's advice – if “credits” are obtained, the most dangerous offenders should be allowed to apply for parole in advance – has been dismissed by sources close to the Attorney General.
The report urged the minister to focus on a comprehensive evidence base on the use of chemical inhibition on sex offenders and to study findings from similar programs in Germany, Denmark and Poland.
“Problematic sexual arousal and concern can be reduced by chemical inhibitors and other drugs, which can be prescribed for individuals who commit sexual offenses in certain circumstances,” the report noted.
It noted that in the 2022 pilot program of Southwest England prisons, the use of donor-sexual sexual desire suppression will end next year and recommended “continuous funding of services in the region”.
Sources close to Mahmood said the government plans to expand pilots as a stage position to launch nationwide.
The method is performed with two drugs. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS) limit invasive sexual thinking. Anti-androgens reduce testosterone production and limit libido.
These drugs are taken with psychiatric work for other causes of sexual offences, such as the desire for power and control.
For the worst offenders, Mahmood is exploring whether it is possible to enforce chemical casting instead of voluntarily perform chemical casting, the source said.
Sexual offenses account for 21% of adults who immediately served their sentences at the end of March 2025. The report states that participation in any such program will be voluntarily in England and Wales.
Among the main suggestions, former conservative attorney general Gauke said the government should:
Ensure that the guardianship sentence of less than 12 months is only used in special circumstances.
The suspended sentence is extended to three years and the extension of sentences for low-risk offenders is encouraged.
Give courts more flexibility to use fines and auxiliary orders such as travel, driving and football bans.
Probation officers are allowed to adjust their supervision levels based on risks and compliance with licensing conditions.
Expand professional courts for domestic abuse to improve support for victims.
Expand the label of all violent perpetrators targeting women and girls.
Improve training for practitioners and violence against women and girls.
Change the statutory purpose of sentencing so that judges and magistrates must consider punishment and rehabilitation when passing the sentence to protect the victim.
Gauke called for increased funding and resources for probation services, including expanding the availability of electronic monitoring devices such as tags, and warned that there would be a “public rebound” if money was not found.
“If there is no additional resource for the trial, the risk is that we are not making progress in rehabilitation and there will be public objection,” he said.
The National Police Chiefs' Council responded to Gauke's call for more resources.
Sacha Hatchett, chief police officer for the National Police Justice Leader, said: “Prisons should not mean out of control. If we are going to keep fewer people in prison, we need to make sure we share the resources and power to manage the risk of criminals posing outside the prison.
“Enough funds that are sufficient to support these measures must be reflected in the upcoming spending review, as well as investments in probation services and technologies, including electronic monitoring.”
The Howard Alliance of Criminal Reform Group welcomes these suggestions.
CEO Andrea Coomber said: “The prom is now in government courts. Resolving the prison capacity crisis will require significant intervention, and as the review recognizes, this can only be successful if reform and investments provide effective and responsive probation services to cut off community crimes.”
The Conservatives condemned Goker's comments. “By abolishing a brief prison sentence, Starmer effectively legalizes crimes such as burglary, theft and assault. This is a gift to criminals who will be free to offend them,” said Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of Justice of Shadow.