The UK government is implementing measures to address reoffending among sex offenders, including the use of chemical castration in 20 prisons. Attorney General Shabana Mahmood announced this initiative, emphasizing that it should accompany psychological interventions aimed at the underlying causes of offenses. A recent independent review indicated that chemical castration could reduce re-offending rates by 60%.
The review, led by former Attorney General David Gauke, also highlighted the need for reforms in the overcrowded prison system, advocating for earlier release for good behavior and changes to sentencing practices. Mahmood has initiated a £700 million investment in probation services to enhance rehabilitation, addressing concerns about prison overcrowding, which has nearly doubled over the last 30 years despite falling crime rates.
Opponents, including Conservative Party spokesman Robert Jenrick, caution that eliminating short sentences could undermine the deterrent effect of the law. Mahmood, however, claims her government is rectifying previous mismanagement and is committed to expanding the prison system significantly.
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