Justice Secretary admits number of convicts being tagged before leaving prison is 'not where we want it to be' despite hundreds being freed early under Labour's release scheme

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Despite hundreds being freed early under Labour's controversial release scheme, Alex Norris told peers the number having tags fitted before leaving prison was 'not where we want it to be'.

Published: 13:47 GMT, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 13:55 GMT, 11 November 2026

Too many convicts are being freed early from prison without having electronic tags fitted, the Justice Secretary admitted today.

Despite hundreds being freed early under Labour’s controversial release scheme, Alex Norris told peers the number having tags fitted before leaving prison gates was ‘not where we want it to be’.

It came as peers on the Lords’ justice committee warned it means many potentially dangerous convicts were ‘disappearing into the ether’ without the public or victims being warned.

Labour has put tagging front and centre of its early release scheme, saying it will help keep the public safe because it allows the authorities to monitor prisoners serving the remainder of their sentence in the community.

But Tory peer Baroness Buscombe, a qualified barrister, pointed to a recent report which found many convicts are being given appointments to have tags fitted days or even weeks after walking free – only for probation officers to find some have absconded.

Referring to a pilot scheme under which all convicts released on licence are tagged before leaving prison, she blasted: ‘I find it extraordinary that we’re carrying out a pilot scheme to try and fit all the tags before they leave prison.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris told peers the number having tags fitted before leaving prison gates was ‘not where we want it to be’

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