Sweden investigates chemical castration as a release condition
Sweden’s government has launched an inquiry into chemical castration as a possible condition for conditional release, a step that could affect people convicted of sexual offences or child pornography offences.
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Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the inquiry will test whether scientific evidence shows chemical castration can reduce reoffending and, if so, when it may be appropriate. The government order also covers stronger penalties and the removal of limitation periods for sexual offences against children.
The inquiry must not propose treatment without the convicted person’s consent. But because chemical castration could be tied to early release or supervised transition, it must also test the system against Sweden’s constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, TV4 reported.
The scope is broader than paedophilia. It could include people convicted of rape against adults as well as sexual offences against children and child pornography offences. The Tidö parties commissioned the inquiry, while the Social Democrats have previously backed a similar release condition.
Psychiatrist Christoffer Rahm has warned that chemical castration is not a simple answer to child sexual abuse and should not carry too much of the burden. The inquiry, led by Marcus Isgren, is due to report its main findings by 2 November 2028.
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