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Electronic Monitoring in Practice – Early Briefing

Published:

Today HM Inspectorate of Probation and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services published an early briefing, setting out key findings from the thematic criminal justice joint inspection: ‘Electronic monitoring in practice: The police response to electronically monitored bail conditions and the use of electronic monitoring on community sentences and post-release licences’.

This early briefing sets out a summary of the inspection, key findings, key statistics, and case studies from the full report, which will be published 26 October 2026.

Chief Inspector of Probation, Martin Jones, said:

“The findings of our inspection are clear: electronic monitoring is expanding rapidly, but the systems, processes and frontline practice needed to make it effective have not kept pace. Until those issues are addressed, the criminal justice system risks relying on a technology whose potential is not being fully realised. “There is a real danger that electronic monitoring creates a false sense of assurance if the technology is not matched by effective professional practice. Expanding tagging programmes without addressing their weaknesses risks overpromising and underdelivering on public protection.”

The full briefing is available to read here.