Probation union calls for end to tagging

Monday, 25 April 2005 12:00 AM

The probation officers' union Napo has called for electronic tagging to be scrapped, claiming it is expensive and does not work.

The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) claims that using probation officers to supervise offenders instead of electronic tags could save £110 million over a four-year period.

Napo also argues that tagging is ineffective, as offenders seem to be able to break their curfew order without being detected.

As a result, assistant general secretary Harry Fletcher called for an independent review into the practice.

"Electronic monitoring is now a multi-million pound business set for a major expansion after the election, yet the figures clearly show that the profit is huge and hardly value for money," he said.

"There is an overwhelming case for the withdrawal of the curfew order."

Napo claims that while private companies with responsibility for tagging offenders receive £1,700 for each tagging order, the cost of actually implementing the order is just over a third of this (£600).

However, the Home Office has defended its use of electronic tags. A spokeswoman told the BBC: "Home detention curfew provides prisoners with a smoother and more effective reintegration back into the community.

"It enables them to be released from prison early while still subject to restrictions placed on their liberty."

She added that the Home Office monitors firms who operate tagging schemes and imposes financial penalties on private companies failing to meet the department's targets.

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