Restriction zone scheme for offenders to start in October
The UK government is launching a new 'restriction zone' scheme in October to monitor serious sexual and violent offenders using GPS technology. The program aims to protect victims by limiting where offenders can travel, with potential recall to prison for those who breach their boundaries.
Why it matters
This policy represents a significant shift in probation management, balancing offender rehabilitation with victim safety through increased surveillance.
Image source, Getty Images By Iain Watson , Political correspondent and Ottilie Mitchell Published 8 minutes ago A scheme that could see serious sexual and violent offenders confined to areas just a few miles wide after leaving prison will be launched in October, Justice Secretary Alex Norris has announced.
Government ministers say this is designed to give victims greater freedom and further reduce the possibility of unwanted contact
The intention to introduce "restriction zones" for violent offenders who leave prison and who are on probation was first announced by the government last year.
Probation officers will be able to limit where serious offenders can go for as long as it is deemed necessary. Those who breach their new boundaries could be recalled to prison.
This would go beyond the current practice of imposing "exclusion zones" which ban offenders from specific locations such as a victim's home or place of work.
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