Getty ImagesSome prisoners released early as part of efforts to ease overcrowding have not been fitted with electronic tracking devices, despite it being a condition of their release, the BBC has been told.Several offenders released on licence said they had not been fitted with an ankle tag – with one describing it as “a disaster waiting to happen”.One probation officer said the delays in them being fitted appeared to be due to a shortage of tags, while the Ministry of Justice said it was due to a backlog of former prisoners.The MoJ blamed security contractor Serco – which manages the prison tagging system – for the delays. Serco said it was working to reduce the numbers waiting for tags. Prisons minister Lord James Timpson said the delays to tagging were “completely unacceptable” and called what he described as an “urgent meeting with Serco leaders” on Thursday evening.He said they “accepted the need for immediate action and personally committed to me to eliminate the backlog” – which, Lord Timpson added, he expected would “be done at pace over the coming weeks”.”All offenders continue to be closely monitored by the Probation Service with stringent conditions and we are prioritising the tagging of domestic abusers on licence to ensure the safety of victims.”More than 1,700 prisoners were let out early in England and Wales last week as part of the government’s scheme to address overcrowding in prisons.The justice secretary said this had prevented the prison system from reaching maximum capacity and “a total breakdown of law and order”.But the scheme has been criticised as risking public safety, while not all victims were made aware of their offender’s early release date. Offenders jailed for violent offences with sentences of at least four years, sex offenders and domestic abusers were not eligible for early release, the government has said. Many of those let out last week were released on licence. In some cases, that means having to wear an ankle tag so that their movements can be monitored to check they are obeying a curfew or following other restrictions.Those who are not tagged are able to act without being monitored – increasing the risk of reoffending and danger to the public.One offender released last week told the BBC: “They should have tagged me but they haven’t and it means I can go where I choose. “I don’t want to end up back inside so I’m sticking to the curfew, but I know people who aren’t doing that because they’ve not been tagged. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”In his case, he has been told to stay at home from 19:00 to 07:00.Another o …
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[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnGetty ImagesSome prisoners released early as part of efforts to ease overcrowding have not been fitted with electronic tracking devices, despite it being a condition of their release, the BBC has been told.Several offenders released on licence said they had not been fitted with an ankle tag – with one describing it as “a disaster waiting to happen”.One probation officer said the delays in them being fitted appeared to be due to a shortage of tags, while the Ministry of Justice said it was due to a backlog of former prisoners.The MoJ blamed security contractor Serco – which manages the prison tagging system – for the delays. Serco said it was working to reduce the numbers waiting for tags. Prisons minister Lord James Timpson said the delays to tagging were “completely unacceptable” and called what he described as an “urgent meeting with Serco leaders” on Thursday evening.He said they “accepted the need for immediate action and personally committed to me to eliminate the backlog” – which, Lord Timpson added, he expected would “be done at pace over the coming weeks”.”All offenders continue to be closely monitored by the Probation Service with stringent conditions and we are prioritising the tagging of domestic abusers on licence to ensure the safety of victims.”More than 1,700 prisoners were let out early in England and Wales last week as part of the government’s scheme to address overcrowding in prisons.The justice secretary said this had prevented the prison system from reaching maximum capacity and “a total breakdown of law and order”.But the scheme has been criticised as risking public safety, while not all victims were made aware of their offender’s early release date. Offenders jailed for violent offences with sentences of at least four years, sex offenders and domestic abusers were not eligible for early release, the government has said. Many of those let out last week were released on licence. In some cases, that means having to wear an ankle tag so that their movements can be monitored to check they are obeying a curfew or following other restrictions.Those who are not tagged are able to act without being monitored – increasing the risk of reoffending and danger to the public.One offender released last week told the BBC: “They should have tagged me but they haven’t and it means I can go where I choose. “I don’t want to end up back inside so I’m sticking to the curfew, but I know people who aren’t doing that because they’ve not been tagged. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”In his case, he has been told to stay at home from 19:00 to 07:00.Another o …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]
