The rapid increase in electronic tagging across England and Wales has sparked alarm among public safety advocates, as the National Audit Office (NAO) warns that the current system is not adequately equipped to handle the proposed expansion. With the number of individuals under electronic monitoring doubling to approximately 28,700 in the last five years, the government plans to escalate this figure to 22,000 tagged individuals each year by 2027. However, the NAO’s latest report highlights significant deficiencies that could jeopardise public safety.
System Strain and Inefficiencies
The NAO report reveals that a considerable number of those tagged may not be under effective surveillance. As of March 2026, the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) was reviewing around 8,900 cases—24% of the required tags—to assess the extent of unmonitored individuals. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) contends that the number of unmonitored cases is closer to 5,450. This discrepancy raises crucial questions about the reliability of the tagging system and its capacity to safeguard the public.
The report also pointed to early shortcomings in the performance of Serco, one of the contractors responsible for tagging. Between August 2024 and July 2025, there were significant delays in tagging individuals, with reports of breaches not being communicated promptly to officials. Although the situation has reportedly improved, the backlog for visits to fit, check, or remove tags peaked at 7,000 in October 2024 before dwindling to fewer than 400 by November.
Staffing Shortages Compound Risks
Adding to the concerns, the NAO report indicated an alarming shortfall of about 2,200 probation staff as of March 2026. This staffing deficiency raises serious doubts about the ability of the system to scale safely. The report urges the MoJ and HMPPS to collaborate with partners to rectify governance issues, enhance data quality, and address systemic inefficiencies. Without such measures, any further expansion of electronic monitoring is unlikely to be effective.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, emphasised that while electronic monitoring is pivotal in addressing prison overcrowding, its current implementation poses risks to public safety. “The MoJ and HMPPS should address the inefficiencies and risks identified in our report before expanding electronic monitoring,” he stated.
Calls for Caution from Advocacy Groups
The report has drawn criticism from various advocacy groups, including the Prison Reform Trust. Chief Executive Pia Sinha described the findings as “a cause for concern.” She cautioned against viewing electronic monitoring as a one-size-fits-all solution to prison overcrowding. “Expanding the use of tagging without addressing wider pressures risks undermining both public confidence and public safety,” she noted, urging the government to take the NAO’s findings seriously. Sinha advocates for a more holistic approach that includes investment in probation services and clear metrics for success.
Meanwhile, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the public accounts committee, echoed these sentiments, expressing alarm over the lack of clarity regarding unmonitored individuals and the government’s capacity to respond to breaches. He warned that without improvements in the service’s resilience and efficiency, expanding electronic monitoring could lead to wasted public funds and increased risks to safety.
Government Response and Future Plans
In response to the criticisms, a spokesperson for the MoJ acknowledged the challenges faced by the tagging system, which they inherited with significant backlogs. The government claims to have improved installation rates by nearly 50% since 2024 and is investing £100 million in electronic monitoring enhancements. This investment includes initiatives to tag offenders before their release and bolster victim protections through new alert systems.
Additionally, a £700 million investment in the probation sector aims to address staffing shortages and improve the overall functionality of the system. Despite these efforts, the concerns raised by the NAO and various advocacy groups suggest that significant work remains to ensure that public safety is not compromised.
Why it Matters
The future of electronic tagging in the UK is at a critical juncture, with its expansion poised to significantly impact public safety and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. As the government grapples with overcrowding in prisons, it must navigate the fine line between implementing innovative solutions and ensuring that these measures do not inadvertently create new risks. The findings from the NAO serve as a crucial reminder that without a robust and accountable framework, the well-intentioned expansion of electronic monitoring could undermine both public confidence and safety, ultimately jeopardising the very individuals it aims to protect.
