Victims are being given a misleading impression of safety due to delays and gaps in the electronic tagging of offenders released early from prison, according to Claire Waxman, the Victims’ Commissioner. Speaking on 9 October, Waxman highlighted significant concerns about the timing and monitoring of criminal tags, which she said could leave released offenders unmonitored for critical periods.

Waxman explained that prisoners are often tagged after their release rather than before, creating a window where tracking is ineffective. “We are tagging them post-release, so there are delays in getting the tag on them,” she said. She called on the government to expedite the tagging process to ensure offenders are tracked immediately upon release. Furthermore, Waxman pointed out that when a tagged offender breaches the conditions of their release, there are additional delays in alerting probation services and police, complicating efforts to respond swiftly.

“This situation creates a false sense of security for victims and the public, who may not be assured that offenders have been tagged in time or that authorities will respond promptly if a tag is broken,” Waxman added.

Ben Cockburn, chair of the National Association of Probation Officers, echoed these concerns by questioning the government’s commitment to public safety. He described official promises as “just not credible,” citing ongoing operational challenges within the probation service. Cockburn also criticized government policies for straining probation resources, contending that the service has become a “dumping ground for the prison capacity crisis.” This characterization reflects broader worries about the ability of probation officers to manage increased caseloads amid systemic pressures.

The concerns raised come amid efforts by the government to reduce prison overcrowding through early release schemes tied to electronic monitoring. However, the current execution of these policies has drawn criticism from victims’ advocates and probation officials alike, who argue that insufficient coordination and slow responses undermine public trust and safety.

Officials have acknowledged challenges in implementing effective tagging and monitoring protocols but maintain that they are working to improve the system. Meanwhile, calls for reforms emphasize the need for quicker tagging deployment and improved communication between agencies to provide better protection for victims and the wider community.