Thousands of Offenders Missing Electronic Tags, Report Reveals
Thousands of offenders not wearing electronic – A National Audit Office (NAO) study has uncovered that nearly 9,000 individuals in England and Wales who are mandated to use electronic monitoring devices are not being tracked, according to recent findings. These cases may involve individuals with violent records or those released from incarceration needing oversight. As of March 2026, prison officials were examining approximately 8,900 instances of people with active monitoring orders but no tags in place.
The Ministry of Justice contested the figure, asserting that its internal assessment places the number of unmonitored individuals at 5,450. It explained that the NAO’s count referred to all cases under review to determine if monitoring was necessary. The report criticized the existing system as “inefficient,” highlighting its role in managing prison overcrowding but failing to ensure effective oversight.
Types of Electronic Monitoring
Electronic tagging systems in England and Wales include three categories: curfew tags, location tags, and alcohol tags. By March 2026, a total of 28,700 people were recorded as using these devices. However, the NAO noted that some of the 8,900 cases might stem from errors, such as incorrect registration. It warned that the actual number of people slipping through the system could be substantial.
Public protection is the Ministry of Justice’s primary focus, which is why it allocated £100 million to electronic monitoring. The department plans to tag offenders before their release and enhance victim safety through new alert systems, aiming to reduce the number of unmonitored individuals.
Challenges in Probation Services
Probation staff, tasked with ensuring compliance with release conditions, face mounting difficulties. They must monitor activities like wearing ankle tags or avoiding substance use. One officer told the BBC, “The report shows we’re overworked. It’s only going to get worse as more people are set to serve their sentences in the community.” They expressed concern about the risk of dangerous offenders going unmonitored.
The NAO highlighted a shortage of around 2,200 full-time probation officers, with the government projecting a reduction to 1,500 by September of this year. Additionally, Serco, the contractor managing the tagging system, met its 95% timeliness target for tag fittings but succeeded in placing tags on only 62% of individuals during two attempts.
“Improvements are required to ensure that those who should be monitored are monitored and that breaches are responded to effectively,” said NAO chief Gareth Davies. The watchdog also emphasized that police and probation teams often lack the resources or timely information to address monitoring failures swiftly.
The report further noted that some prisoners are being released early without electronic tags, potentially increasing the risk of oversight. As the Sentencing Act 2026 comes into effect, more offenders may be released from autumn 2026, with killers, rapists, and sex offenders among those affected. The BBC has sought comments from Serco regarding these concerns.
