Doubts over checks on tagging firms

Concerns have been raised in parliament over the lack of a specific inspection regime for private firms involved in electronically tagging offenders.

Shadow home affairs minister Cheryl Gillan questioned the lack of a regime when 3,000 prisoners have been tagged and there have been high-profile failures.

But Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart said performance indicators were used by the department to check companies’ standards.

The questions came in the wake of a report into the murder of Nottingham jeweller Marian Bates by young offender Peter Williams. The report criticised Premier, the firm contracted to electronically monitor Williams, for failing to adequately supervise his curfew.