Recommendation 17

The NAO found persistent issues in the quality and availability of HMPPS’s data on tagging, including inefficient processes, poor-quality data, limited data capture and access, and siloed data and systems. In particular, HMPPS only captured data on offenders’ age and gender.30 We asked witnesses whether they intended to capture more data on protected characteristics and whether they were concerned that ethnic minority offenders may have a greater likelihood of being placed on tags or not being placed on tags. The Ministry and HMPPS committed to capturing this data in future contracts to make sure they were providing a fair and proportionate service. More generally, HMPPS acknowledged that it could make better use of the pool of data available.31 30 C&AG’s report, para 2.18 31 Qq 72, 76–77 14 Transforming electronic monitoring services 3 Expanding tagging services