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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

‘Hundreds’ of prisoners freed early in England and Wales not fitted with tags

HMP Pentonville seen from outside its walls
HMP Pentonville in London, one of the prisons from which people were released early last week. Photograph: Charlotte Ball/PA

Prisoners freed early to ease overcrowding in jails have not been fitted with electronic tags despite it being a condition of their release, prompting criticism from a parliamentary watchdog.

Officials have declined to say how many of the 1,700 prisoners in England and Wales who were allowed out after serving 40% of their sentences last week were not given tracking devices. It is understood to be “hundreds” rather than “dozens”, a source said.

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