Regional reports from the UK Ministry of Justice

UK Fits 3,800 Offenders With Alcohol Tags Over Christmas, Achieving 97% Sobriety

Dec 24, 2024, 03:03 PM

The UK government has implemented a record-breaking measure this festive season, requiring nearly 3,800 offenders to wear alcohol-monitoring tags to prevent them from drinking over Christmas. These offenders, either released from prison or serving community sentences, are subject to strict alcohol abstinence enforced by the tags, which detect alcohol through the wearer's sweat. The initiative aims to reduce alcohol-fueled crimes such as domestic abuse and public disorder, which tend to spike during the holiday period. The technology has been effective, with offenders remaining sober 97% of the time since its introduction in 2020. The move is part of a broader strategy to address prison overcrowding by using alternative sentencing methods.