Almost 9,000 offenders in England and Wales lack electronic monitoring tags, report reveals

Almost 9,000 individuals in England and Wales who are required to wear electronic monitoring tags currently do not have one, according to a report released by the National Audit Office (NAO) on July 10, 2026. This includes potentially dangerous offenders such as those convicted of violent crimes and individuals released from prison under supervision.

Discrepancies in Monitoring Figures

The NAO report indicates that as of March 2026, prison authorities were evaluating approximately 8,900 cases of individuals who have an active monitoring order but no electronic tag fitted. However, the Ministry of Justice has contested this figure, asserting its own review estimates the number of unmonitored offenders to be 5,450. The Ministry clarified that the NAO's figure refers to all cases under review, not just those who are unmonitored.

The NAO criticized the current electronic monitoring system as inefficient, highlighting that it is crucial for managing the pressures on prisons. Gareth Davies, NAO chief, stated, "Electronic monitoring is central to managing pressures on prisons, but it is not working effectively, creating risks to public protection."

Reasons for Lack of Electronic Tags

There are various reasons why individuals may be classified as unmonitored. These include:

• Errors within the monitoring system
• Refusal to wear a tag
• Delays in fitting the tag
• Removal of the tag following an arrest
• Individuals who should have been tagged but were not

The NAO has emphasized that the number of offenders slipping through the system could be significantly higher than reported. The report also noted that many police and probation staff often lack the necessary information or resources to promptly respond to breaches of monitoring conditions.

Government Response and Future Plans

In response to the NAO's findings, the Ministry of Justice stated, "Public protection is our priority, which is why we’re investing £100 million in electronic monitoring, tagging offenders before release for the first time and strengthening victim protections via new alert systems – all of which will help cut the number of unmonitored offenders." This investment is part of a broader strategy outlined in the Sentencing Act 2026, which aims to alleviate prison overcrowding by managing more offenders in the community.

As part of these plans, thousands more prisoners may be released early, with many expected to require tagging. However, probation officers have expressed concerns about their capacity to monitor these individuals effectively. One officer remarked, "The report makes clear we’re overworked. And it’s only going to get worse with more people set to do their punishment in the community."