MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Christmas booze ban for record number of offenders

A record number of offenders will be forced to stay sober this Christmas as part of the government’s Plan for Change, keeping streets safe and cutting alcohol-fuelled crime.

Statistics published today (23 December) show around 3,800 offenders either released from prison or serving a community sentence will wear an alcohol tag over Christmas and New Year.

The tags work around the clock and quickly detect if an offender has been drinking by analysing their sweat, meaning festive favourites such as mulled wine and prosecco will be strictly off the menu.

If an offender dares to have a drink, an alert is sent to their probation officer who can take action to punish them, such as an order to return to court or even prison.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said:

The sad reality is alcohol-fuelled crime such as domestic abuse and public disorder spikes at Christmas and has a devastating impact in our homes and town centres.

Technology like this is playing a key role in the government’s mission to take back our streets by monitoring offenders and cutting crime.

The tags are accurate enough to distinguish between foods that contain low-levels of alcohol – such as mince pies or Christmas pudding – and boozier drinks that could lead to offenders getting drunk.

The technology is playing a significant role in the government’s mission to take back our streets from alcohol-fuelled harm, which costs the taxpayer billions of pounds each year. 

Offenders who are banned from consuming alcohol by the courts have remained sober for 97% of the days they have been tagged since the technology was first rolled out in 2020.

They monitor alcohol bans for offenders on community sentences handed down by judges or magistrates and can also be used as a licence condition for prison leavers. Roughly 20% of those supervised by probation are classified as having a drinking problem.

These statistics come as the government is conducting a landmark review of sentencing, which will further explore the range of tougher punishments that can be served outside of prison. This will explore the technology we can use to limit the liberties of offenders in the community and support the administration of sentences outside of prison.

Further information

• Statistics show offenders on community orders are complying with alcohol bans for 97% of the time
• The Crime Survey indicated that 39% of victims of serious offences believed that alcohol played a factor in the incident
• Statistics show that around 20% of offenders managed in the community by the Probation Service had an identified “alcohol need”
• Figures have shown year on year that the percentage of domestic abuse-related offences increases in December