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14/06/2012
New Reports Critical Of Electronic Tag Monitoring
The home secretary has said ministers will "look very seriously" at a new report that suggests more than half of electronically tagged criminals break curfews.
Detailing 120 examples of mistakes and flaws in the tagging system since the start of 2012, the probation inspectorate review of tagging in England and Wales comes as a separate critical report from the probation officers' union is published.
The spotlight on electronic monitoring comes a day after a 15-year-old boy, who was tagged, was given a life sentence for murdering a student in a row over throwing conkers in north London.
The killer, who cannot be named because of his age, was subject to electronic tag monitoring as part of a rehabilitation order imposed a month before the murder.
Theresa May said she was committed to ensuring it was "working properly".
"It is an important tool - but of course we want to make sure that it's working properly," she said.
The use of electronic tagging has more than doubled in the last six years, with a total of 80,000 people tagged in 2010-11.
The inspectorate review of 81 cases found delays were caused by unclear or illegible paperwork and that curfews were often unrelated to the offence committed.
37% of cases involve serious violations, including damaging equipment or being absent for the entire curfew period.
The report, produced by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), complained that offenders could break the terms of their curfew for up to two hours before receiving a warning.
Adding that being absent for 11 hours and 59 minutes of a 12-hour curfew could trigger only "a less serious violation".
Chief inspector of HMIP, Liz Calderbank, said: "This all speaks for the need for the curfew to be managed more as a part of a whole programme of working with the offender to change their behaviour."
(H)
Detailing 120 examples of mistakes and flaws in the tagging system since the start of 2012, the probation inspectorate review of tagging in England and Wales comes as a separate critical report from the probation officers' union is published.
The spotlight on electronic monitoring comes a day after a 15-year-old boy, who was tagged, was given a life sentence for murdering a student in a row over throwing conkers in north London.
The killer, who cannot be named because of his age, was subject to electronic tag monitoring as part of a rehabilitation order imposed a month before the murder.
Theresa May said she was committed to ensuring it was "working properly".
"It is an important tool - but of course we want to make sure that it's working properly," she said.
The use of electronic tagging has more than doubled in the last six years, with a total of 80,000 people tagged in 2010-11.
The inspectorate review of 81 cases found delays were caused by unclear or illegible paperwork and that curfews were often unrelated to the offence committed.
37% of cases involve serious violations, including damaging equipment or being absent for the entire curfew period.
The report, produced by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), complained that offenders could break the terms of their curfew for up to two hours before receiving a warning.
Adding that being absent for 11 hours and 59 minutes of a 12-hour curfew could trigger only "a less serious violation".
Chief inspector of HMIP, Liz Calderbank, said: "This all speaks for the need for the curfew to be managed more as a part of a whole programme of working with the offender to change their behaviour."
(H)
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Jeweller’s killer was not properly supervised
A teenager who was sentenced to life for the killing of jeweller Marion Bates was not properly supervised in the weeks leading up to her death, a report has found. A Probation Inspectors report found that Peter Williams, 19 had repeatedly breached his curfew order and removed his electronic tag, prior to the attack at the Bates’ family jewellers.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
