Restriction zone scheme for offenders to start in October

Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced that a restriction zone scheme for offenders will be launched in October. The initiative aims to give victims greater freedom and reduce the likelihood of unwanted contact by limiting where serious offenders may go after release from prison. Probation officers will be able to define the areas in which serious offenders can travel for as long as deemed necessary. Anyone who breaches these boundaries could be recalled to prison. The approach extends beyond the current practice of imposing exclusion zones that bar offenders from specific locations such as a victim’s home or workplace. Norris said the scheme would use GPS technology monitored by probation officers so that "those who measurement extracurricular the boundaries tin beryllium rapidly identified and look being sent backmost to prison". He added, "Offenders should transportation the consequences of their crimes, not their victims," helium added. He is expected to present further proposals to limit the early release of certain prisoners when Parliament reconvenes next month. Conservative MPs countered that the most effective way Labour could support victims is to introduce emergency legislation that would halt the early release of thousands of offenders. There remains a risk that serious sexual and violent offenders could encounter victims outside existing exclusion zones. The new scheme will designate confined areas tailored to each offender, developed in consultation with victims. Amy Glover, manager of domestic abuse services at Advance, a charity supporting women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse, praised the "change successful focus". She also urged improvement to the criminal justice system, noting that many survivors of abuse choose "not to prosecute a transgression conviction, and for those that bash lone 5% scope conviction". A domestic abuse survivor identified only as Kristina described the restriction zones as a "fantastic concept" but pointed out that a perpetrator had repeatedly violated her indefinite restraining order "without consequence". She added, "The biggest situation would beryllium to summation victims' assurance successful authorities to travel done their promises of protection". The announcement of the scheme’s October start follows a revision to the government’s early release policy after public backlash. Introduced to alleviate prison overcrowding, the policy was updated on 4 August to exclude those sentenced for rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming from eligibility for early release. The Prison Governors’ Association warned that altering the plans at a "very late stage" increased pressure on prison staff. The restriction zone initiative had previously been criticised when announced last year for potentially placing additional strain on probation officers, a concern the government says it hopes to ease through extra staffing and greater reliance on technology. If you are suffering from domestic abuse, details of help and support in the UK are available at BBC Action Line.