Nearly two in three suspects and criminals given electronic tags at courts in Norwich have breached their curfews.

Questions over electronic tagging as almost two-thirds of cases from Norwich courts reported for breaking curfews

Tom Bristow, Reporter Monday, February 20, 2012
7:33 AM

Nearly two in three suspects and criminals given electronic tags by Norwich’s courts are ignoring the conditions of their curfew, figures obtained by the Evening News show.

Of 277 people given tags by Norwich Crown and Magistrates’ courts last year, 173 breached their curfews, including 38 who tampered with their tags.

However, Serco, the contractor responsible for the electronic monitoring, has been able to prosecute only a handful of cases.

The figures, obtained by the Evening News through the Freedom of Information Act, show the number of breaches from Norwich’s courts is increasing, with 46pc of people tagged in 2009 reported for a breach, 52pc in 2010 and 62pc last year.

The numbers raise questions over the use of electronic monitoring, which is hailed as an alternative to prison and is becoming more widespread in the city.

In 2009, a combination of the crown and magistrates’ courts, and Norwich Prison, issued electronic tags in 293 cases. The total was 411 in 2010 and 393 in 2011.

The Ministry of Justice defended electronic monitoring, which was introduced across England and Wales in 1999 after being piloted in Norwich, as giving the courts an alternative to custody.

But even those tagged in Norwich Prison, are tampering with their tags or ignoring conditions.

In 2010, 33 of the 104 people tagged by HMP Norwich were reported for ignoring their curfew conditions and four tampered with their tags.

Barrister Ross Burrows, from KB Law, said: “The figures suggest the curfews are not given as much respect by those punished as perhaps the courts believe they are.

“If the message amongst those who have breached their curfew conditions is that they are not then prosecuted, the overall punishment behind the sentence suffers as a result.”

As our table shows, Serco were only able to prosecute a small number of those ignoring their tag conditions.

Serco is responsible for prosecuting breaches where tagging is only used with no punishments other than a curfew.

A Serco spokesman said: “Serco electronically monitors over 10,000 offenders across England and Wales on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and all curfew breaches are dealt with promptly.

“Our aim is to deliver an efficient and effective service which helps to reduce offending and improve public safety.

“We invest in the very best technology to monitor the offenders in our care and are always looking for innovative, new solutions, which could help reduce the number of breaches.”

Of the 173 breaches in 2011, 40 were prosecuted by Serco.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Anyone who breaches the terms of their electronic curfew can be sent back to court for further punishment.

“Electronic curfews punish offenders by restricting their freedom of movement.

“Since 1999, over 833,000 people have been monitored on a range of electronic monitoring programmes, in the vast majority of cases without incident.”

What do you think? Write to Evening News letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

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9 comments

if you report a story based soley on statistics you can create any picture you wish, i would suggest that the real truth is somewhat differrent, but as usual only one side of the argument is presented

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Jonas

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How about a ball and chain?

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Tarquin Tuggit

Monday, February 20, 2012
I expect most breaches of the curfew were people popping out for a few minutes to get a packet of fags, some milk or coffee, headache tablets, or even some credit on their electric card. A bit of a none story really.

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popeye

Monday, February 20, 2012
I do not understand why all those who break their curfews are not prosecuted? This should happen in every case as it should be for the court to decide what the punishment. Clearly, tags are not a deterent and the only way to make them so is to prosecute every time and have a mandatory prison sentence to deter others.

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andy

Monday, February 20, 2012
What a pleasure is to once again see how the private sector can run public services more effectively the the public sector. Ho hum

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robotsthatcare

Monday, February 20, 2012
I don't suppose for a second that when they do get prosecuted the fine gets paid. If they have tag, they have no job...

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Kocopetl

Monday, February 20, 2012
If SERCO breached everyone who ignoredtampered with their tags they would lose 23rds of their work which is extremely lucrative. It also costs them thousands in costs for barristers and solicitors to do it. So they don't and the offenders do what they like and SECO keep getting paid.

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NR4

Monday, February 20, 2012
As C.C.T.V. Cameras and the evidence they collect, these "Tags" also will only produce results if monitered at all times,otherwise they are worthless and a waste of money

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Albert Cooper

Monday, February 20, 2012
As I see it, MPs, Lords and Baronesses that have thieved many thousands of £'s have not been imprisoned or repaid their ill-gotten gains, so why can we expect yobbo's to toe the line.

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Paul Platten

Monday, February 20, 2012