Serious sexual and violent offenders could be confined to areas just a few miles wide after their release from prison, under a new scheme announced by the government. The rollout begins in October and will use GPS monitoring to track offenders' movements around the clock.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the programme would give victims greater freedom. "No victim should fear the shadow of an abuser on their back," he said. "That's why we're putting limits on dangerous offenders, confining them to tightly controlled areas and giving victims greater freedom to get on with their lives."
The new "restriction zones" go beyond current "exclusion zones", which ban offenders from specific locations such as a victim's home or workplace. Under the new plans, probation officers will be able to limit where released offenders can go for as long as they deem necessary, with reviews at least every three months. Those who breach the boundaries could be recalled to prison.
Victims will have a say in setting the boundaries of the zones, reducing the risk of unexpectedly encountering their perpetrators. Offenders will also receive push notifications when they approach the edge of their restricted area, warning them to turn back.
The scheme is part of a wider government effort to address prison overcrowding and public safety. Norris has previously announced that all rapists and child sex offenders will be tagged for at least a year after release. The Ministry of Justice also said it would introduce random drug testing for 1,000 offenders each month and that those convicted of rape or serious child sex offences would face closer probation contact and mandatory referrals to secure accommodation.
The announcement comes amid ongoing controversy over the early release programme. Labour's early release scheme began in September 2024, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham paused further releases initially due in September, pushing them to October. He has already removed those convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming from eligibility.
The Conservatives argue that if the government wanted to protect victims, it should bring forward emergency legislation to stop the early release of thousands of criminals due to prison overcrowding. Burnham is due to present the outcome of his review into the early release scheme when Parliament returns from summer recess on September 1.
Amy Glover, director of domestic abuse services at Advance, a charity supporting women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse, welcomed the changes, praising the "change in focus". However, she also called for reform to the criminal justice system, noting that many survivors of abuse chose not to pursue criminal convictions, and of those that do, only a small percentage reach conviction.
The Ministry of Justice said it was investing £700 million into probation and community services and recruiting an extra 1,300 probation officers this year. The scheme has also faced warnings about pressure on the probation system, with chief inspector of probation Martin Jones previously expressing anxiety about releasing so many inmates early while the service is already under "huge pressure" due to staff shortages.