Irish Examiner: 'E-tagging ‘may not resolve’ prison crisis'

14th April 2012

In an article in the Irish Examiner, reporter Seán McCárthaigh outlines IPRT's response to prison service plans for electronic tagging.

While the electronic tagging of low-risk prisoners on temporary release may be of benefit, IPRT Executive Director Liam Herrick stated that questions remained about how the system would operate and the purpose behind the introduction of tagging. International experience demonstrates that the use of electronic tagging does not guarantee a reduction in prisoner numbers, and while it can play a part in the monitoring of the whereabouts of prisoners on release, it is "no substitute for probation officers".

The article also reports that there are currently around 950 prisoners on temporary release with 4,300 offenders in prison custody.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, April 14, 2012. To read the article in full click here.

Read more:

• thejournal.ie: 'Electronic monitoring of prisoners to be introduced'
• Report: An Evaluation of the Use of Electronic Monitoring as a Condition of Bail in Scotland
• Dr. Mike Nellis: Electronic Monitoring of Offenders (lecture)