A new scheme will confine serious sexual and violent offenders to designated areas after their release on probation, starting in October. Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced that these 'restriction zones' aim to enhance victim safety and reduce unwanted contact with offenders. Probation officers will monitor compliance using GPS technology, and breaches could lead to re-incarceration.
This initiative builds on previous exclusion zones, which only restricted access to specific locations. The government plans to further address early prisoner releases, responding to concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of current measures.