Those arrested for assault, theft or theft in the UK will need to use a GPS device to track their movements upon release, even if they have served their full sentence, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
The objective is to monitor to prevent the repetition of crimes. Offenders serving a sentence of one year or more will receive an electronic ankle bracelet upon release and will be monitored 24 hours a day for up to 12 months, as part of their release conditions.
The program will initially be launched in six areas of the police force on April 12, and it is estimated that 250 offenders will receive the monitoring device in the first six months. Then it will be extended to 13 other areas in September.
Police will work with prison and conditional service staff to cross-check GPS data with reports of new thefts, thefts and assaults to see if ex-inmates were close to the new crime scene.
According to the ministry’s announcement, more than half of those convicted of theft commit additional crimes in a year and nearly 80% of cases do not result in any suspects.
“Identifying these offenders so that we know where they are 24 hours a day should be a powerful persuasion to change their habits,” said Minister of Crime and Police Kit Malthouse.
Screening also aims to ensure that high-risk offenders adhere to curfews, exclusion zones and other conditions of their probation, the violation of which can result in immediate return to prison.