Sex Offenders 'Could Be Tagged'

Electronic tagging could be used to manage sex offenders and domestic abusers.

That is according to the justice secretary Michael Matheson, following a conference on advances in GPS technology. A working group has been put together to explore its advantages, including monitoring offences like alcohol and drug crime and car theft.

The event coincided with a new report out today from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research which found evidence that benefits can be gained from Scotland adopting GPS technology in electronic monitoring, in addition to the current radio frequency method. The research explored the potential uses of GPS monitoring for a number of offence types, domestic abuse, alcohol, sexual crimes, drug-related crimes and vehicle theft. The research also considered innovative and broader approaches to the use of electronic monitoring in general.

Mr Matheson said: "I welcome these findings which is an important step forward in shaping the future of electronic monitoring in Scotland.

"For more than ten years we have successfully used radio frequency technology in electronic monitoring and our current approach is working. However, I am keen to explore how we could make use of the latest in emerging technologies, such as GPS.

"On the face of it, GPS technology appears to offer potential opportunities for the management of sex offenders or to be used in cases of domestic abuse. Some concerns have been raised in the past about the effectiveness of the technology so the expert group is currently undertaking a wide ranging review and testing of the technology. This latest research and today’s conference is another step forward in the evidence gathering of the group and I look forward to receiving their recommendations early next year.

"We know that the use of electronic monitoring can be flexible and tailored to support the individual, and can be a crucial tool in reducing reoffending by allowing those involved to maintain connections with their family, their community and their employment."