Serious Offenders Face October Confinement Zones After Prison Release
New powers enabling probation services to confine serious violent and sexual offenders to designated 'restriction zones' will come into effect in England and Wales from October. This measure permits the limitation of released individuals to areas potentially as small as a few square miles, enforced through the use of GPS tracking.
These restrictions can be imposed for periods ranging from six months to five years, requiring approval from a senior probation officer. Breaching a restriction zone order will constitute a criminal offence, potentially leading to further imprisonment.
The Ministry of Justice stated that these new powers will enhance public safety by more closely monitoring and managing offenders deemed to pose a high risk. Offenders will be prohibited from entering specific locations, such as those near schools, their victims' residences, or areas they previously committed crimes. The implementation follows a trial period that concluded in December.
