Recommendation 13

We asked why government was not exploring mobile phone GPS technology or identity scanning software, such as fingerprint scanning used by banks. HMPPS explained that the challenge of using mobile phones in tagging is that they would not be solely used for this purpose, and that phones could be linked to servers offshore with potential data security implications. However, HMPPS has harnessed data from GPS location data in its acquisitive crime pilot which covers a cohort of around 650 offenders convicted for theft, burglary or robbery offences. The pilot uses data on alleged crimes from police and overlays location data to produce matches where offenders have been in a defined proximity. HMPPS told us that while the offenders’ probation officers can access data in real-time, the challenge was to match this capability for the rest of the GPS caseload. It told us that it had received a large number of requests from police for direct access to its system. HMPPS believed it could see operational benefits for the police if it provided direct access but it had so far not done so due to data protection considerations which it told us it wanted to step through carefully.22 19 Qq 48, 52; C&AG’s report, para 2.22 20 C&AG’s report, para 7 21 C&AG’s report, para 2.20. Figure 8 22 Qq 47, 80; C&AG’s report, Figure 15 12 Transforming electronic monitoring services 2 The evidence base for tagging Understanding the impact of tagging