Chemical castration instead of prison: a new program for sex offenders is launched in Britain
23 May 18:15
A pilot program of voluntary chemical castration for those convicted of sexual crimes is being launched in the UK. This was reported by the BBC, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The project involves the use of drugs that suppress sexual desire in combination with psychotherapeutic support. Initially, the initiative will cover 20 prisons in two regions of the country.
Justice Minister Shabana Mahmoud said that chemical castration can reduce the risk of reoffending by 60%. She also noted that the possibility of introducing mandatory treatment in certain cases is being considered, including for offenders motivated not by sexual desire but by a desire for dominance or control.
In a number of European countries, this practice already exists: in Germany and Denmark, on a voluntary basis, and in Poland, compulsory for certain categories of offenders.
The launch of the program comes amid the crisis of overcrowded prisons in the UK. The UK government is actively seeking alternatives to imprisonment, particularly for those who have committed sexual offenses.
