Tagging
This page will explain more about 'tagging' and what is expected of you.
What is a curfew?
A curfew requires you to stay at an agreed address during the times you have been told. Usually this is between 7pm and 7am.
It is commonly known as electronic 'tagging'. It is a way of restricting your liberty - rather like 'house arrest'.
Being tagged can make it harder for you to commit further crimes. It can help break your patterns of offending by making you stay at the agreed address.
Many people who are tagged say it gives them a new sense of structure and discipline.
There are two types of curfew:
- Home Detention Curfew - imposed by the Prison Governor as part of your early release from prison
- Curfew Order - imposed by the courts on offenders over the age of 16
What is electronic monitoring of a curfew?
It is a way of making sure that you are staying at the agreed address during the times you have been told.
A tag will be attached to your wrist or ankle. It is a small electronic device which looks like a watch.
Your tag is linked to a monitoring machine installed in the place where you are living. The machine is linked via a telephone line to a monitoring centre. Staff at the monitoring centre can immediately tell if the curfew is broken. They can return you to court or prison if you break the curfew.
When will my curfew start?
Normally your curfew will begin on the day and time specified by the court or the day you are released from prison.
How long will the curfew last?
- If the order was made by a court then it can be for a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of six months. This is known as a Curfew Requirement.
- If you are assessed as suitable for the curfew while in prison you can be released from a minimum of 2 weeks and up to a maximum of 90 days earlier than you normally would be. The length of the original sentence also affects the length of the curfew period. This is known as a Home Detention Curfew (HDC).
What will happen?
Monitoring Officers will normally visit you during your first or second curfew period. They will explain and install the monitoring equipment.
What if I don't have a telephone?
If you don't have a telephone, one will be provided at no cost to yourself. All calls you make to the Monitoring Centre will be free.
You will not be able to use the telephone provided to make any other calls other than to emergency services.
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Helpful hints for curfewees |
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Always leave plenty of time to get home for the start of your curfew to allow for heavy traffic |
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The time on the site monitoring unit is correct at all times, use it to check your watch or clock |
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Remember to have ample food, toiletries and cigarettes etc. to see you through your curfew period each day |
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It will help to keep a good supply of electric cards or coins if you have a pay as you go meter |
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Make sure you have arranged your domestic and family arrangements around your curfew hours |
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If you have an appointment with an agency, doctors or require hospital treatment etc. make sure that you make them aware that the Monitoring Centre will phone to verify your attendance, arrival/departure times, and that they may give out such information |
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If your circumstances change which affect your curfew, e.g. you gain employment, change employment or you are moving house, then you must make an application to the Magistrates Court, or ask the Prison Governor, for a variation of the Curfew Requirement.
If you are unsure of any of the conditions of the Curfew Requirement, the Monitoring Centre is staffed at all times. Please telephone the Centre and the staff will be able to answer. |
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What is the probation service's role in curfews (electronic tagging)?
Probation staff will assess your suitability for curfew. They closely consider the effect it will have on the other people living at the same address as you while you are on the curfew. They also consider the effect on the local community.
Probation staff provide a written report to help the Prison Governor decide if a person can be released early from prison on a Home Detention Curfew (HDC).
Probation staff provide courts with written reports about the suitability of a curfew. This report helps Magistrates and Judges decide whether to sentence people to a Curfew Requirement as part of a Community Order.
Can I be on Curfew Requirement and another Order?
Yes. You may be on a curfew and sentenced to another Requirement such as Unpaid Work where you have to carry out unpaid work that benefits the community. Or you could be on a curfew and under probation supervision via a Supervision Requirement .
Or you could even be on a curfew and other Requirements too.
A curfew can also be a stand alone order. So you may be on a curfew with no other community sentence.
If I am in prison how will I know if I may be suitable for a Home Detention Curfew Order (electronic tagging)?
You may be able to apply to spend up to 90 days subject to a curfew, which is enforced by electronic monitoring if:
- you are a prisoner over 18 years old
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- you have been sentenced to more than 3 months and less than 4 years imprisonment.
Not everyone is eligible to apply but further information can be obtained from prison staff. They will be able to explain the process to you.
Those assessed as suitable for the curfew can be released from a minimum of 2 weeks and up to a maximum of 90 days earlier than they normally would be. The length of the original sentence also affects the length of the curfew period.
What if I have a complaint?
If you have a complaint about Group 4 Securior Monitoring Services you should contact the Monitoring Centre and try to discuss your concerns.
If you are still not satisfied you should write to:
G4S Justice Services Ltd
Sutton Park House
15 Carshalton Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM1 4LD
If you have a complaint about the Probation Service you should try to talk about this with your Supervising Officer first or their manager.
If you are not satisfied with the response you get, then you can write to the Chief Officer at:
Thames Valley Probation Area
Head Office
Kingsclere Road
Bicester
Oxon
OX26 2QD
What if I have any questions or problems?
If you have any questions or problems, please get in touch with your Supervising Officer or Group 4 Securicor as soon as possible. They will try to sort things out for you.
You can use this number if you live in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire.
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