3,800 Offenders Wear Alcohol Tags Over Holidays

In a significant initiative to curb alcohol-fuelled crime during the festive season, the UK government has mandated that a record 3,800 offenders wear 'alcohol tags' this Christmas. These tags, which were first introduced in 2020, monitor the wearer's sweat to detect alcohol consumption and can distinguish between low-level alcohol found in foods and beverages that could lead to intoxication. If an offender violates their alcohol ban, their probation officer receives an alert, allowing for immediate action such as returning to court or prison. Prisons Minister James Timpson highlighted that alcohol-related crimes, including domestic abuse, often spike during the Christmas period, emphasizing the importance of this technology in keeping communities safe. Remarkably, offenders have maintained sobriety for 97% of the days they are tagged, showcasing the effectiveness of the program. This increase in monitoring is part of a broader government strategy to explore alternatives to incarceration amid a growing prison overcrowding crisis.