Electronic Tagging Delays Put Victims at Risk in England and Wales, Report Finds

Delays in fitting electronic tags on offenders in England and Wales are putting victims at risk, a report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has found. The report indicates that some criminals are waiting up to five months to be fitted with a tag, contributing to repeated breaches of court and prison orders.

According to the findings, only 55% of GPS and radio frequency tags were fitted on time, while 60% of alcohol monitoring tags were fitted promptly. The Ministry of Justice stated that the government is implementing the "biggest expansion of tagging in British history" with £100 million in funding.

Electronic monitoring is utilized by the Probation Service to enforce curfews and other conditions of court or prison orders. As of June 2026, a total of 27,847 individuals in England and Wales were subject to tagging orders.

"There is a real danger that electronic monitoring creates a false sense of assurance if the technology is not matched by effective professional practice," said Martin Jones CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Probation. He added, "Expanding tagging programmes without addressing their weaknesses risks overpromising and underdelivering on public protection."

Inspectors noted that in some instances, individuals waited more than two weeks for equipment, and one in ten people experienced delays of up to five months after the required time for fitting.

Reasons for the delays included individuals not making themselves available for the tagging. Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE emphasized the need for victims to be informed immediately about tagging delays, as such delays can create a "false sense of security." She also raised concerns about the capacity of "overstretched" probation services to manage breaches effectively.

The report also revealed that data from the tags was often underused, with major violations explored in only 46% of relevant cases. Furthermore, inspectors found limited evidence that electronic monitoring was consistently used to promote behavioral change among offenders.

There are three types of tags used: curfew tags, location tags, and alcohol tags. These are intended to manage risk, safeguard individuals, and protect victims through strict controls on offenders' punishments. Breaches of these orders can result in immediate return to prison, a court order, or a formal warning.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice affirmed that "public protection" is the government's priority. They highlighted the ongoing expansion of tagging, supported by £100 million in funding, with tag installation rates increasing by nearly 50% since 2024. This initiative is part of a broader £700 million investment in probation and community services, including the recruitment of additional trainee officers.

Plans to significantly expand electronic monitoring were announced earlier this year as part of the Sentencing Act 2026, which aims to alleviate prison pressures by managing more offenders within the community. Under this new law, thousands more prisoners will be released early from October, with most requiring tagging.