Key facts
- Violent and sexual offenders will be confined to restriction zones of a few miles after release from prison.
- Victims will have input in determining the boundaries of these zones.
- GPS technology will be employed to monitor offenders' movements.
- The new measures are scheduled for implementation in October.
- Justice Secretary Alex Norris emphasized the goal of protecting victims from encountering their offenders.
New restrictions are set to confine violent and sexual offenders to designated zones of only a few miles upon their release from prison. Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced that victims will have a voice in establishing the boundaries of these zones, aiming to provide them with greater peace of mind and freedom from fear of encountering their perpetrators. The implementation of these more rigorous exclusion zones, which will also involve GPS monitoring of offenders' movements, is slated for October.
Norris stated his determination that "no victim should have to look over their shoulder, change their routine, or live in fear of crossing paths with the person who harmed them." He added, "Victims will have a say in setting these boundaries, giving them greater freedom, peace of mind and the confidence to get on with their lives."
The introduction of these zones coincides with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's review of the early prisoner release scheme, which has faced public backlash. Burnham is expected to present the outcome of his review on September 1. He has already amended the scheme to exclude individuals convicted of rape, serious child sex offenses, and grooming. Public opposition to the early release policy has grown, with recent polling indicating a significant majority of Britons now oppose it.