Sex offenders to face lie detector tests Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "Introducing lie detector tests, alongside the sex offenders register and close monitoring in the community, will give us one of the toughest approaches in the world to managing this group." Downing Street first announced plans for a national roll out of the programme last year following the success of trials in the Midlands. The tests, carried out on more than 300 sex criminals, found that lie detectors made them much more open with their probation officers. They made twice as many admissions about breaching the conditions of their release from prison, such as contacting a victim or entering an exclusion zone. It led to some being returned to custody. Offenders themselves also believed the threat of tests helped them to control their behaviour better. In America lie detector tests are even used to help secure convictions.