Probation staff told not to use phrase ‘chemical castration’ to avoid upsetting paedophiles and sex offenders
PROBATION staff have been told not to use the phrase chemical castration in conversations with paedophiles and sex offenders in case it upsets them.
Officers have been called into briefings this week after The Sun revealed that rapists and other vile criminals will be handed drugs to suppress their sexual urges.
It could be made compulsory under plans being considered as part of the Sentencing Review, unveiled by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week.
A trial will be rolled out to 20 prisons across England and Wales, with the drugs offered on a voluntary basis with the aim of managing sex offenders both behind bars and when they are released to the community.
Probation officers liaise with jail staff and supervise prisoners after their release and check they are adhering to their licence conditions.
A source told The Sun: “We have been told we can’t use the word chemical castration when talking to sex offenders and instead have to say medication to manage problematic sexual arousal.
“We were told it’s incase the word castration upsets them – it’s a beggar’s belief.”
It mirrors the phrase which Ms Mahmood used in parliament, when she told MPs on Thursday: “The review has recommended we continue a pilot of so-called medication to manage problematic sexual arousal.
“I will go further with a national rollout, beginning in two regions covering 20 prisons. And I am exploring whether mandating the approach is possible.”
New polling released on Friday showed that 67 per cent of Brits say they either “strongly support” or “somewhat support” the idea of chemical castration, while only 16 per cent either “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” it.
David Gauke’s independent sentencing review, which was published on Thursday morning, recommended more research into how chemical suppression for sex offenders can help stop “Problematic sexual arousal”.
The drugs on offer include hormonal drugs which can suppress testosterone levels, thus reducing libido.
Other options are nonhormonal medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which are commonly prescribed as antidepressants.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This phrase is simply the medical term for this treatment.”
