The performance of Serco, the contractor responsible for tagging offenders released from prison, has come under significant scrutiny from UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

In a recent session of the House of Commons, Mahmood expressed her dissatisfaction with Serco's performance, describing it as "still not good enough" and indicating potential financial penalties for the contractor.

Serco, which commenced operations on the Ministry of Justice’s tagging contract in October 2023, has faced criticism for delays in fitting electronic tags to individuals released from prison.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick accused the Government of failing to monitor these offenders, claiming it has allowed "dozens of dangerous prisoners" to be released mistakenly.

The context of this situation is notable, as approximately 1,700 prisoners in England and Wales were released early in September the previous year as part of a strategy to alleviate overcrowding in prisons.

During the exchange, Jenrick highlighted that some offenders were unmonitored for up to eight weeks due to delays in tagging, raising concerns about public safety and accountability.

Mahmood responded to these allegations by referencing the previous government's contracting of Serco, stating her inherited responsibility for managing the situation.

While acknowledging a reduction in outstanding visits, she reaffirmed that Serco's current performance remains insufficient, stressing her commitment to hold them accountable.

In her remarks, Mahmood indicated that despite ongoing efforts to address past backlogs, any future failures could lead to financial repercussions for Serco.

She has consistently emphasized the Government's intention to ensure that there are adequate prison places available for those deemed necessary to keep the public safe.

Furthermore, the discussion addressed broader concerns regarding potential changes to sentencing policies, particularly relating to non-violent crimes such as burglary and theft.

Jenrick pressed Mahmood to provide assurances against reducing sentences for these offenses in light of the tagging issues, underscoring the necessity of maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

In response to concerns about the adequacy of the current tagging system, Serco issued a statement affirming their collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to improve service delivery.

The company noted its prioritization of high-risk individuals as determined by HMPPS.

Additionally, the Commons session touched upon the potential introduction of intermediate courts, which are currently under review by Sir Brian Leveson.

Concerns were voiced by Conservative MP Sarah Bool regarding the Law Society's warnings about the feasibility and efficiency of such courts, particularly in addressing court backlogs.

Responses from ministerial representatives highlighted the Government's focus on delivering swift justice for victims and the need for comprehensive system reforms to tackle existing challenges in the justice sector.