The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed delays to fitting electronic monitoring tags to some prisoners freed under the government’s early release scheme.

The department blamed Serco, which took over the government’s tagging contract in May 2024.

A spokesperson said they are holding the firm “to account” and noted there are “record numbers of offenders wearing tags”.

They added “financial penalties” would be applied against the company “if this is not resolved quickly”.

“While this issue is ongoing, we have prioritised tagging domestic-abuse offenders to make sure their licence conditions, such as staying away from their victims, are strictly followed.”

Prisons minister meets Serco bosses

It is not clear what is causing the delays. A government source denied there was a shortage of tags.

MEZIESBLOG understands prisons minister James Timpson met with Serco bosses today to discuss the matter.

Electronic tags are used in England and Wales to monitor curfews and conditions of a court or prison order.

Last week, around 1,700 prisoners were let out early under a government scheme to easy overcrowding.

Ministers have blamed the Tories for leaving behind a system they insist was on the brink of collapse.

Early release will not apply to sexual offences, serious violence and terrorism offences, and some cases relating to domestic abuse – but concerns have been raised over public safety, and the risk of prisoners re-offending.

It has emerged that one prisoner was accused of assaulting a woman on the same day he was freed. He has been charged and recalled to prison.

What has Serco said?

In a statement to the BBC, Serco said: “Since we took over the electronic monitoring contract in May we have been working hard to reduce the number of people waiting to have a tag fitted.

“We work closely with the MoJ and the probation service to fit tags swiftly and prioritise cases based on risk profiles.

“Where an individual is not at home when we call to fit a tag the time taken can be longer. We prioritise making another visit so that people are tagged as soon as possible.”