Multitude of failings in electronic tagging of criminals ‘leaving victims and public at risk,’ says damning report
Inspectors found serious weaknesses in how electronic tags are managed in England and Wales, warning that gaps in monitoring and responses to breaches could put victims and the public at risk. The findings raise questions about the Government’s plan to rely more on tagging as part of community sentences and early release from prison.
The report says probation staff can struggle to identify who is being monitored, GPS information can be difficult to access, and police sometimes lack clear records of risks or demand. Some offenders taken to court for breaching tag conditions are released on the same bail terms. Figures published in July showed 5,043 offenders with tagging orders had not been fitted with devices, around one in seven; inspectors said weaknesses identified in 2022 still persist.
In short
- Inspectors say weaknesses in electronic tagging could put the public at risk.
- Staff face problems tracking offenders and using GPS data.
- 5,043 people with tagging orders had no device fitted.
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The case for
The report gives a strong reason to question expanding tagging before the system can reliably identify who is monitored, share location and risk information, and respond to breaches. Where victims and the public may face harm, dependable enforcement and clear accountability are essential; persistent gaps could undermine confidence in community sentences and early release.
The case against
Electronic monitoring can support community sentences and supervised release while allowing people to remain outside prison, which may aid rehabilitation and reduce reliance on custody. The reported failures argue for fixing staffing, data access and breach procedures, rather than abandoning tagging; with those safeguards improved, it may remain a useful tool alongside other supervision.
Explained simply
Electronic tags are devices used to monitor whether someone follows restrictions set by a court or prison authorities. Depending on the order, a tag may check a person’s location or whether they are at home at required times; probation staff supervise people serving sentences in the community or released under conditions.
Courts, probation services, prisons, police and the companies that provide tags all have roles in managing monitoring and responding to possible breaches. The system matters because tagging is used as an alternative to custody or as a condition of release, and its reliability affects how restrictions are enforced and how risks are managed.