Record rise in electronic monitoring
Tens of thousands more offenders will be fitted with electronic tags under the Government’s new Sentencing Bill, described as the biggest expansion of monitoring since curfew tags were first introduced in 1999.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the plan will see up to 22,000 additional criminals and defendants tagged each year, backed by £100 million in extra investment. The policy forms part of the wider “Plan for Change”, aimed at tackling prison overcrowding and reducing reoffending.
Tagging on prison release
For the first time, there will be a presumption that all prisoners will be tagged upon release, unless probation staff decide otherwise. A new pilot starting next month will ensure offenders are tagged before leaving prison gates, closing the current surveillance gap that exists in the crucial early days of release.
Justice Secretary at the time, Shabana Mahmood said the measures would strengthen public safety: “A historic increase in tagging and record investment into probation will make our streets safer.”
Ending early release for rule-breakers
The Bill will also end automatic release for prisoners who break the rules. Inspired by reforms in Texas, the “earned progression model” means badly behaved inmates could serve more of their sentence behind bars, with penalties of up to three months added for violence or possession of contraband.
Alongside the construction of 14,000 new prison places, the reforms are designed to ensure space remains available for dangerous offenders.
Tougher community sentences
Prison sentences of under a year will in most cases be replaced with tougher community penalties. These will include banning offenders from pubs, sports events or concerts, publishing the names of those on unpaid work orders, and imposing “income reduction orders” to deduct money directly from offenders’ earnings.
Support for victims
The Bill introduces “restriction zones” to protect victims from encountering offenders, as well as new sentencing powers to ensure domestic abusers are better identified and monitored. Victims’ charities have cautiously welcomed the approach, with campaigners calling it a “modern response” to crime and punishment.
With £700 million more promised for the Probation Service by 2029 and a recruitment drive for 1,300 new officers, ministers argue the reforms will reduce reoffending and prevent future victims. But critics warn the measures will require sustained funding and robust oversight to deliver lasting results.
