Prisons and Probation Minister to appear before Lords Committee

The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee will tomorrow question Lord Timpson OBE DL, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending and Jim Barton, Director for Probation Reform and Electronic Monitoring at the Ministry of Justice, as it continues its investigation into Electronic Monitoring. 

The session will cover a range of topics, including the purpose of Electronic Monitoring, the future of Electronic Monitoring technology, anticipated increases in the use of Electronic Monitoring, and the use of Electronic Monitoring in detecting and preventing crime. The Committee will also ask about accountability mechanisms for private contractors, the consequences of breaching an Electronic Monitoring order, and the move to tag prison leavers as they leave prison. 

Possible questions include: 

• What is the purpose of Electronic Monitoring? 

• Is it time for a new Electronic Monitoring strategy? 

• Are the Probation Service and private suppliers ready for an increase in tagging? 

• Can we use electronic monitoring to detect crime? 

• Given the issues with suppliers in previous Electronic Monitoring contracts, how do you ensure the taxpayer is getting the best service at the best price? 

• Should electronic monitoring be run and managed by the Probation Service and the police? 

• Do people suffer the consequences of breaching their electronic monitoring conditions? 

The session will take place on Tuesday 16 September 2025 at 10:30am