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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tagged inmates committed killings | Tagged inmates committed killings |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| More than 1,000 offences - including five killings - have been carried out by prisoners released early with electronic tags fitted, it has emerged. | |
| Home Office figures show tagged inmates had committed one murder and four manslaughters, among other crimes. | |
| There have also been 56 woundings and more than 700 assaults since "Home Detention Curfew" began in 1999. | There have also been 56 woundings and more than 700 assaults since "Home Detention Curfew" began in 1999. |
| The Commons' public accounts committee, which released the figures, said tagging could still be cost effective. | |
| 'Shocking disregard' | 'Shocking disregard' |
| Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This report raises serious issues about the way tagging is being used. With so many serious offences being committed it is clear the government is showing a shocking disregard for public safety." | Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This report raises serious issues about the way tagging is being used. With so many serious offences being committed it is clear the government is showing a shocking disregard for public safety." |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "Dealing with offenders means it is vital that we get tagging right. | Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "Dealing with offenders means it is vital that we get tagging right. |
| "Once again, flaws in the system can be laid squarely at the government's feet for failing to implement the system competently in practice." | "Once again, flaws in the system can be laid squarely at the government's feet for failing to implement the system competently in practice." |
| But Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "Compared with the soaring reconviction rates for all those leaving our overcrowded jails and the cost to the public purse of more than £11bn a year from reoffending, the HDC makes sound economic sense." | |
| The committee said more prisoners should be electronically tagged and released from jail early in an effort to save money. | The committee said more prisoners should be electronically tagged and released from jail early in an effort to save money. |
| Enforcing a curfew using a tag costs £70 less a day than jail, the committee said. | Enforcing a curfew using a tag costs £70 less a day than jail, the committee said. |
| But it should be used as an alternative to custody "only if there is minimal risk to the public", said chairman Edward Leigh. | But it should be used as an alternative to custody "only if there is minimal risk to the public", said chairman Edward Leigh. |
| The system is stuttering along at present. Most prisons have no direct access to criminal records on the Police National Computer Edward LeighPublic Accounts Committee | The system is stuttering along at present. Most prisons have no direct access to criminal records on the Police National Computer Edward LeighPublic Accounts Committee |
| Mr Leigh said releasing selected prisoners and imposing an electronically monitored curfew was "a cost-effective alternative to custody". | Mr Leigh said releasing selected prisoners and imposing an electronically monitored curfew was "a cost-effective alternative to custody". |
| Better information had to be shared between prisons, police and other agencies to allow quicker and more accurate safety checks. | Better information had to be shared between prisons, police and other agencies to allow quicker and more accurate safety checks. |
| Mr Leigh said: "The system is stuttering along at present. Most prisons have no direct access to criminal records on the Police National Computer. | Mr Leigh said: "The system is stuttering along at present. Most prisons have no direct access to criminal records on the Police National Computer. |
| "Prisoners who are moved between prisons are not accompanied by their assessment records. | "Prisoners who are moved between prisons are not accompanied by their assessment records. |
| 'Maximum flexibility' | 'Maximum flexibility' |
| "These and other factors often delay the release of eligible prisoners well beyond their eligibility date." | "These and other factors often delay the release of eligible prisoners well beyond their eligibility date." |
| The National Audit Office has found the average amount of time which lapses between the start of eligibility for parole and actual release is 27 days. | The National Audit Office has found the average amount of time which lapses between the start of eligibility for parole and actual release is 27 days. |
| The prison population reached a record 79,843 at the weekend with, in theory, just 125 more spaces left. | The prison population reached a record 79,843 at the weekend with, in theory, just 125 more spaces left. |
| Home Secretary John Reid has said up to 500 places would be made available in police cells by Thursday. | Home Secretary John Reid has said up to 500 places would be made available in police cells by Thursday. |
| On Tuesday, he outlined plans to pay prisoners from outside Europe a package of up to £2,500 to leave the UK. | On Tuesday, he outlined plans to pay prisoners from outside Europe a package of up to £2,500 to leave the UK. |
| A Home Office spokesman said the deal would not include cash handouts. | A Home Office spokesman said the deal would not include cash handouts. |