1,000 Crimes By Tagged Offenders

{mosimage} More than 1,000 crimes have been committed by offenders released from jail early on an electronic tag, it has been revealed. There have been four manslaughters, one murder, 56 woundings and more than 700 assaults since “Home Detention Curfew” came into force in 1999.

There were also 100 cases of possessing an offensive weapon, one incident of causing death by reckless driving, 100 of obstructing a police officer and 16 other violent attacks.

A report from the Commons’ all-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) disclosed the figures as it examined the success of the Government’s tagging programme.

It warned that there was “insufficient evidence” that tagging helped to reduce reoffending or rehabilitate criminals. MPs also expressed concern that prison governors – who are responsible for deciding whether to release inmates on HDC – get no feedback on whether the offenders complete the curfew or not.

PAC chairman Edward Leigh said: “Releasing selected offenders early from prison on condition that they are subject to an electronically monitored curfew at home is a cost-effective alternative to custody.

“But only if there is minimal risk to the public.

“In fact, the prison governors who take the final decision to release offenders on curfew are not told if their assessments turned out to be sound.

“It is of crucial importance to public safety that they are given the kind of information on outcomes which can improve their future decision-making.”