Justice Secretary Alex Norris announces new restriction zones to confine serious offenders after prison release
Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced that a new scheme of "restriction zones" will launch in October to confine serious sexual and violent offenders to specific areas a few miles wide after they leave prison. Unlike current exclusion zones, which only ban offenders from specific locations like a home, these new zones will be tailored to individual offenders and developed in consultation with victims. Probation officers will use GPS technology to monitor the movement of offenders, who will be recalled to prison if they breach their boundaries. Alex Norris stated that the scheme aims to ensure victims do not have to fear the shadow of an abuser. While the government introduced the plan last year, some campaigners have criticized the lack of detail regarding implementation. Rhianon Bragg, a leading domestic violence campaigner, expressed concern that the announcement was made before a working system was ready. However, the Ministry of Justice noted that the government will work closely with stakeholders to ensure the scheme operates as intended as it rolls out.