Libido-suppressing drugs for people who have committed sexual offences could be offered to thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales from December 2028, according to an expert who has evaluated the treatment.
Key facts
- The voluntary medication programme could expand to 20 prisons in England and Wales.
- An expert says a wider rollout could happen by late 2028, with the treatment potentially available from December 2028.
- Prof Belinda Winder estimated about one in four sex offenders could be considered for the treatment.
- That equates to roughly 3,750 current prisoners.
- The treatment would be voluntary and applies to male prisoners.
Drugs designed to help control the libidos of people who have committed sexual offences could be offered to thousands of male prisoners in England and Wales from December 2028, according to an expert who has evaluated the medication.
Prof Belinda Winder, who has assessed the use of sex drive-suppressing medication in prisons, said the voluntary treatment could be rolled out widely by late 2028. The Guardian reported that the programme is set to expand to 20 prisons.
Winder estimated that about one in four sex offenders would be considered for the treatment. According to her figures, that equates to around 3,750 current prisoners in England and Wales.
The medication is described as libido-suppressing, sometimes referred to as chemical suppression, and its use in the prison system is voluntary. The expansion reflects growing interest in the UK in exploring libido control drugs as part of the approach to treating sex offenders.
The Guardian reported that the timeline set out by the expert points to the drugs potentially being available from December 2028, following the planned expansion to additional prisons.
Why it matters
The potential expansion signals a shift in how England and Wales manage people convicted of sexual offences, moving toward medical interventions alongside existing approaches. Because the programme is voluntary and could reach thousands of prisoners, it raises significant questions about effectiveness, ethics and public safety that will interest both policymakers and the wider public.
Frequently asked questions
How many prisoners could be offered the drugs?
Prof Belinda Winder estimated about one in four sex offenders would be considered for the treatment, which equates to around 3,750 current prisoners in England and Wales.
When could the treatment be rolled out?
An expert said the medication could be rolled out widely by late 2028, with the drugs potentially available from December 2028.
Is the treatment compulsory?
No. According to the source, the use of sex drive-suppressing medication is voluntary.