Big Brother's watching

02.07.35: THE HOME OFFICE today confirmed the closure of a further 27 prisons, leaving just 40 in England and Wales.

It follows the application of biometric tracking and monitoring of offenders.

Most offenders can now live in the community but civil liberties groups have criticised some of the monitoring orders. Individuals convicted of fraud or theft are prevented from accessing online financial services; those guilty of behavioural offences receive no clearance to use public transport or visit shopping areas. Offenders complain that they are virtual prisoners in their homes.

The Home Office defended its policy, saying that offenders were fully briefed before tagging.

At least one of the closed prisons will become a holding zone for refugees from North Africa, where global warming is rendering large areas infertile. PF