Domestic violence survivor fears for safety as attacker remains untagged

A 38-year-old mother is living in a state of constant terror after her former partner was released from prison without the electronic monitoring tag she was promised. The woman, identified as Michelle, is one of many survivors of domestic violence who are questioning the current system, which allows offenders to be released into the community before their tracking devices are fitted. Despite a history of probation breaches and violent behavior, her attacker remains unmonitored weeks after his release.

Michelle’s ordeal began in early 2024 when she was assaulted by her former partner. Following a series of violent incidents, including threats with a knife, he was sentenced to 38 months in prison in November 2024. Although he was ordered to stay away from her home and town, he repeatedly breached these conditions. After his most recent release on October 15, police liaison officers assured Michelle that he would be fitted with a GPS tag. That promise has not been fulfilled, forcing Michelle and her four children to relocate to a static caravan for safety.

Electronic tags are often not fitted to offenders upon release, leaving many domestic violence survivors at risk.

Concerns over electronic monitoring

A recent report from the chief inspectors for probation and prisons revealed that nearly half of all offenders are not tagged promptly upon their release. In some instances, devices are not installed for up to five months. The private firm Serco, which is contracted to manage the tagging process, has been criticized for meeting performance targets by merely attempting to fit devices rather than ensuring they are active. Data suggests that a third of the 5,000 criminals currently without tags remain untracked because they were not present at their registered addresses when contractors arrived.

The prison officers’ union, the POA, has proposed that government officials train prison staff to fit and activate tags before inmates are released. The union argues that insourcing this function would improve public protection and resolve the ongoing performance issues. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice stated it is working to expand electronic monitoring to ensure more offenders are tagged before they leave prison gates.

Why it matters

This situation highlights a critical failure in the justice system’s ability to protect vulnerable individuals from repeat offenders. For survivors, the delay in implementing security measures means they must fundamentally alter their lives to avoid potential harm. While this specific case concerns a domestic violence incident in the UK, the broader debate regarding the efficacy of electronic monitoring and the protection of victims is a global issue relevant to legal systems worldwide.