Chemical suppressants for sexual offenders will be trialled in north-west and north-east England as part of efforts to cut reoffending, the justice secretary has said.
The government had pledged to widen the existing pilot in four prisons in the south-west to 20 prisons following recommendations from the independent sentencing review to explore its use in May.
The medication limits “problematic sexual arousal” and restrains offenders who could be a risk to the public, David Lammy said.
The expansion means about 6,400 sex offenders will be able to access medication alongside psychological treatment to help change their behaviour and crack down on crimes such as rape, grooming and assault.
Speaking at the start of a debate on the second reading of the Sentencing Bill, the Lord Chancellor told MPs a trial in south-west England had been “positive”.
Mr Lammy added: “While the evidence base is limited, it is positive and for that reason we will roll the approach out nationwide, starting with two new regions, the North West and North East, covering up to 20 prisons.”
‘Suppress urges’
It comes as part of the Sentencing Bill, which is seeking to introduce reforms proposed in the sentencing review led by former justice secretary David Gauke, to tackle jail overcrowding in the long term.
It also looked at ways to cut reoffending, with one proposal to consider further use of chemical suppressants.
Problematic sexual arousal can be reduced by chemical suppressants and prescribed medication, but…
And this is why the UK is just as bad as the US. Avoid that country at all costs.