'No victim should have to look over their shoulder': Violent and sexual offenders to be confined to tighter 'restriction zones' on release
"Victims will have a say in setting these boundaries", Justice Secretary Alex Norris says.
Violent and sexual offenders released from prison could be confined to zones of just a few miles under new restrictions.
Listen to this article
Victims are set to have a say in setting the boundaries to limit the possibility of unexpectedly encountering their offender.
The zones will be set to make sure those released can still access vital appointments and services that help to reduce their chances of reoffending.
The rollout of the new more rigorous version of existing exclusion zones, which ban offenders from specific locations such as a victim’s place of work or home, is set for October, The Mirror has reported.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris said: “I’m determined 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.
“That’s why we’re introducing tough new restrictions on sexual and violent offenders, confining them to areas just a few miles wide and using GPS technology to monitor their movements.
Read more: One million sign petition to block early release of PC Harper’s killers
“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.
“It’s simple: offenders should carry the consequences of their crimes, not their victims.”
The move comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to present the outcome of his review into the early prisoner release scheme when Parliament returns from summer recess on September 1.
Labour’s early release scheme started in September 2024 with the aim of easing overcrowding in jails and Mr Burnham paused plans for further releases initially due to come in September and pushed them back to October.
He has already changed the scheme’s eligibility to exclude those convicted of rape, serious child sex offences and grooming.
The Prime Minister's decision to pause the early release scheme came after the plans faced fury for allowing certain prisoners to be let out earlier in their sentences.
In one case that gained widespread attention, the family of killed police officer Andrew Harper hit out at the fact that two of his killers were being considered for early release.
But Mr Burnham has since vowed to prevent the early release of PC Harper’s killers “altogether”.
Earlier this month, exclusive polling for LBC revealed fewer than one in ten Brits support the government's decision to release certain prisoners early.
Research by IPSOS Mori reveals that 69 per cent of people now oppose the policy - up from 53 per cent two years ago.Implementing the Sentencing Act - passed by Sir Keir Starmer's government earlier this year to free up spaces in prisons - is shaping up to be one of the new PM's biggest tests.
While most Brits say the previous Conservative government is to blame 'a fair amount or a great deal' for the current overcrowding in prisons (66 per cent), around 45 per cent think the same of the current Labour government - that's up 10 percentage points from September 2024.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Helen Powell, Head of the Crime, Cohesion, and Security policy team at Ipsos in the UK said: "The public remains concerned with the early release of prisoners as a solution to prison overcrowding, with opposition rising sharply across the political spectrum over the past two years, but most prominently amongst 2024 Labour and Lib Dem voters. This resistance is rooted in anxieties over public safety, as majorities expect early releases to drive up antisocial behaviour, violent crime, and reoffending rates.
"While a majority still attribute the broader crisis in prison capacity to the previous Conservative administration, scrutiny on the current Government's response is mounting. While Britons strongly support victim-focused sentencing, rehabilitation and tougher community measures, there is little appetite for shorter sentences or early release.
"How this scheme ends up being executed will be the first real test for Andy Burnham’s government, and will require balancing acute operational pressures in prisons against a public that demands tough sentencing, better protection for victims, and clear reassurances on public safety."