The majority of prisoners scheduled for release under the early release scheme next month will not be fitted with electronic monitoring tags before leaving custody, according to officials. The Probation Service lacks the capacity to fit tags in time for the first wave of releases starting October 1, meaning most of the 1,350 prisoners will receive electronic tags only after they have re-entered the community.
The early release scheme, which was overhauled by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, was designed to incorporate more intensive probation supervision, with electronic tagging as a core component. Ministers had previously stated there would be a "presumption that all offenders are electronically tagged on release," except where tagging was deemed unsuitable. However, the current shortfall in tagging capacity means only the highest-risk offenders will be fitted before release, leaving others—including some serious and violent criminals—without immediate electronic monitoring outside prison.
The prisoners due for release in October are serving sentences of up to two years and five months. Various types of tags are planned for use under the programme, including curfew tags, location tags, and alcohol monitoring devices. New restriction zones will be established for sexual and violent offenders, with victims given input into drawing up these zones. Despite these measures, concerns remain among victims’ groups about the possibility of offenders circumventing the restrictions and posing a threat.
The National Audit Office raised broader concerns this summer about the electronic monitoring system’s effectiveness, reporting that 9,000 offenders in England and Wales required to wear electronic tags had not been fitted with them. This group included violent offenders and individuals recently released from prison.
The early release scheme was revised following public and police objections, particularly in response to plans that would have allowed some offenders, including those convicted of serious crimes such as the killing of PC Andrew Harper, to qualify for early release. Under Burnham’s leadership, individuals convicted of unlawful killing, sexual offences, and offences against children have been excluded from the scheme.
The shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, criticised the government, accusing it of misleading the public regarding the security safeguards associated with early release. He said the public had been assured that dangerous offenders would be properly tagged, a claim now contradicted by the shortage of pre-release electronic monitoring.
In response, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that public protection remains a top priority. The government cited a £100 million investment aimed at the largest expansion of electronic tagging in British history and the introduction of a presumption to tag offenders prior to release. This initiative is part of a broader £700 million investment in probation and community services. The ministry also highlighted steps to strengthen victim protection through new alert systems as part of their overall commitment to offender management and community safety.