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The use of 'chemical castration' for convicted paedophiles and sex offenders could increase as the Government is considering making the treatment more available.

Justice Minister Phillip Lee has asked officials to consider ways of making this medical method more common, amid concerns rehabilitation courses by psychologists are not effective enough the Daily Express reports.

The method - which suppresses sexual urges - is already available to some sex offenders both in prisons and the community as part of a range of measures to reduce reoffending.

It is understood that ministers have now received advice on making this medical treatment available to more prisoners, although still on a voluntary basis.

But the Ministry of Justice has not made any decisions yet.

(Image: UKParliament)

About 120 sex offenders are believed to be voluntarily having the treatment but this could be increased to as many as 1,500, according to reports.

Dr Lee, a practising GP, has reportedly said there needs to be “an evidence-based approach” to make sure offenders are safe enough to go back into society.

Criminal psychiatrist Professor Don Grubin has reportedly been conducting the chemical treatment programme with the prison service and the Department of Health.

(Image: Getty Images)

A departmental source told the Express: “Dr Lee knows this is controversial but the medication is voluntary although it can be linked to an increased chance of getting parole.

“There is a debate over the effectiveness of the courses but very little doubt that chemical castration works.

“Essentially, libido suppressing medications in tandem with psychological therapies are more effective than what is generally being attempted currently.”

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A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told Mirror Online: “Medical treatment to manage sexual arousal is already available to some sex offenders on a voluntary basis.



“Prisoners are prescribed medication to manage sexual arousal by a doctor, which must continue to be taken to remain effective.”

The Worboys case highlighted fears that rapists and sex offenders could be released into the community while still possibly posing a threat.

The Tory Justice Secretary declared the fiasco around John Worboys' near-release "my responsibility entirely" - days after he forced someone else to quit over it.

David Gauke told the Sun on Sunday: "Clearly, things didn't go as they should have gone.

"Look, I made the decision. I accept responsibility, so I’m not hiding behind my advisers. It’s my responsibility entirely."

(Image: PA)

Yet he's kept his job - and instead forced out Nick Hardwick, the head of the Parole Board which recommended the 'black cab rapist' should be freed from jail.

Prof Hardwick wrote to the minister in his resignation letter: "You told me that you thought my position was untenable."

Mr Gauke faced calls to quit last month after admitting there were "serious failings" by the state over the case of the 60-year-old serial sex attacker.

It came after the High Court overturned the Parole Board's controversial decision to free Worboys.

Although the Parole Board was independent, Tory Mr Gauke was drawn into the row because he said a government legal action against the decision would have "no reasonable prospect of success".

That meant victims had to crowdfund and bring the legal challenge themselves, independently of the government.

Worboys became known as the black cab rapist after attacking victims in his taxi.

He was jailed indefinitely in 2009 with a minimum term of eight years after being found guilty of 19 offences, including rape, sexual assault and drugging, committed against 12 victims.