Rapists and violent offenders to be confined to zones of 'a few miles' under Labour's prison plans

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Victims will have a say in determining the boundaries, with the zones designed to prevent unexpected encounters

Sex offenders and violent criminals set to face new GPS-powered “restriction zones” upon release from prison will be confined to areas within a "few miles", under plans to prevent them from reoffending and give victims greater freedom to go about their daily lives.

Under Labour's new system, probation officers will be able to confine offenders to tightly defined geographical areas, potentially only a few miles wide.

Victims will have a say in determining the boundaries, with the zones designed to prevent victims from unexpectedly encountering those they have caused them harm.

The approach marks a change from the current system, under which offenders can be prohibited from entering specific locations, such as a victim’s home or workplace.

Offenders will be monitored around the clock using GPS electronic tags, capable of tracking their movements in real time.

Anyone who leaves their designated zone could be recalled to prison.

The Ministry of Justice said offenders would receive push notifications when approaching a restriction-zone boundary, warning them to turn back.

The alerts are intended both to prevent accidental breaches, and reinforce the notion that offenders are being continuously monitored.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the measures would ensure that victims, rather than offenders, bore fewer restrictions following a crime.

“No victim should fear the shadow of an abuser on their back,” Mr Norris said.

He added that dangerous offenders would be confined to controlled areas, while GPS technology would allow authorities to identify breaches rapidly.

The new measures form part of a wider “game-changing” £700million regime, under which all prisoners released from custody will be electronically monitored for up to a year after release - potentially before leaving prison.

The change is intended to avoid delays caused when tagging contractors are unable to reach offenders at their homes.

The Government is also introducing additional measures, including random drug testing for 1,000 offenders each month, closer contact with probation services for those convicted of rape and serious child sex offences, and mandatory referrals to the most secure accommodation available.

The plans come amid concerns over Labour's early release of thousands of prisoners in a bid to ease pressure on overcrowded jails.

As part of the scheme around 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released early in stages from October.

Mr Norris is also reviewing whether the early release of two men convicted in connection with the killing of PC Andrew Harper, as well as other offenders convicted of manslaughter, can be prevented.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has separately blocked the early release of about 1,000 rapists and child groomers following a review of the Government’s scheme.

However, Martin Jones, the chief inspector of probation, has warned that the service is already under significant pressure due to staff shortages.

He said there was a risk that more offenders would be recalled to custody, and that failures could lead to serious reoffending, including sexual or violent offences.

To combat this, the MoJ said it was investing £700 million in probation and community services and recruiting 1,300 new probation officers this year, following the recruitment of 2,300 officers over the previous two years.

The number of spare places in men’s prisons has fallen below 1,800, while officials have warned that capacity could be exhausted by November without further releases.