English and Welsh "Alcohol-Fuelled" Offenders to be Tagged, Released
BK writes:
Alcohol-fuelled crime offenders may have to wear 'sobriety tags':
[English and Welsh] Courts will have the power to order those convicted of drink-related crimes to wear an ankle monitor for up to 120 days. It assesses whether there is any alcohol in their sweat.
[...] Keith Hunter, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Humberside, said: "During the trial in our area they provided rehabilitation agencies a real opportunity to work with the individual and get them to recognise and change their behaviour.
[...] The tough community sentences not only punish offenders, according to the Ministry of Justice, but also help their rehabilitation by forcing them to address the causes of their harmful behaviour.
They will not be used on people who are alcohol-dependent or have certain medical conditions. Judges have been calling for many years for tougher non-custodial sentences.
An unidentified offender, who wore one of the tags in the Humberside, Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire pilot scheme, said: "Since I had the tag removed I feel 100% in control of my drinking. I was worried to begin with that when I had the tag taken off I might go back to drinking again but the process gave me a better understanding of alcohol. I also didn't want to go back to court.
"I no longer need a drink to manage my emotions which is down to the tag and my probation officer - I'm much happier with my life now and pleased that more people can benefit from my experience of wearing the tags."
First they came for the socialists and I did not speak out...
[Editor's Note: Corrected spelling of Welch to Welsh 2-May0515UTC--JR]
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