Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Electronic Tagging of Offenders

Tuesday 9 November 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Progress has been made on the roll-out of GPS tagging for prolific acquisitive criminals, covering half of England and Wales.
  • The scheme aims to reduce reoffending rates by monitoring tagged individuals 24/7 and is expanding from six to 19 police forces.
  • Investment of 19 million out of 183 million is allocated to develop a drugs tag to prevent drug use among offenders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aaron Bell
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The roll-out of electronic monitoring for offenders is being discussed, aiming to reduce reoffending rates.

Question

What progress has been made on the roll-out of electronic tagging for offenders? The programme aims to address reoffending by ensuring that those released from prison and convicted of acquisitive crimes wear GPS tags. Between April and September, over 1500 offenders had sobriety tags.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

There has been excellent progress with the GPS tagging programme for prolific acquisitive criminals, now covering half of England and Wales. Over 1500 offenders wore sobriety tags between April and September. The scheme aims to reduce reoffending rates by monitoring these individuals closely.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The programme's impact on policing is being questioned, especially regarding the resources required to enforce tagging.

Question

What discussions have there been with the police about resources needed for bringing back in people who may be breaching their tags? The Minister has welcomed progress on GPS tagging but needs to think about other offences where it could be used.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

The scheme aims to reduce the burden on policing by tracking tagged individuals 24/7, making it easier for police to find offenders breaching their tags. As we expand from six to 19 police forces across the country, monitoring the impact remains crucial. So far, police are enthusiastic proponents of the programme.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Aaron Bell
Justice & Courts Science & Technology
Context

Investment in future technology to ensure electronic tagging keeps pace with offender behaviour is discussed.

Question

What steps will be taken to invest in the latest technological advances, so that tagging can keep up with the evolving behaviour of offenders? Newcastle-under-Lyme hosts the North Staffordshire Justice Centre and constituents welcome the progress made.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

£19 million of £183 million investment will go into finding the holy grail—a drugs tag to fit offenders' ankles. This technology aims to prevent drug use, thus deterring reoffending. The market is being stimulated for this future technology.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email