The UK government, under Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is considering compulsory chemical castration for paedophiles and rapists as a strategy to reduce reoffending rates.

While an Independent Sentencing Review suggested a limited voluntary trial, officials are advocating for a broader implementation across 20 jails in England and Wales, with plans for a national rollout.

The review emphasized the need for prison reforms to ensure space for dangerous offenders and included proposals for using medication to manage sexual arousal in offenders.

This treatment aims to complement psychological interventions that address the underlying causes of offending behavior, such as the desire for power and control.

The prison population in England and Wales has surged to nearly 90,000, despite falling crime rates, largely due to longer sentences and a tough-on-crime approach.

Mahmood warned that prison overcrowding could lead to a breakdown of law and order, highlighting the urgency for effective solutions.

The proposed measures are part of a larger strategy to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, which are currently experiencing an annual increase of 3,000 inmates.

The review also stresses the importance of increased funding for probation services and electronic monitoring to manage offenders effectively post-release.

Critics, including Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick, have raised concerns that scrapping short sentences could decriminalize offenses and jeopardize public safety.

Mahmood's government is also considering earlier release for prisoners and increased investment in the probation service to enhance rehabilitation efforts.

The UK government is exploring alternatives to incarceration due to overcrowded prisons, having previously released thousands of inmates early to create space.

These reforms represent the largest overhaul of sentencing in over 30 years, addressing a looming capacity crisis in UK prisons.