Football and travel bans for criminals under tougher sentences

The UK Government is set to overhaul sentencing, granting judges new powers to impose bans on offenders, aiming to strengthen community punishments as an alternative to short prison terms. Under the proposed changes, judges could bar criminals from attending football matches, concerts, driving, or traveling abroad, regardless of the offense.

Currently, football bans are limited to violence at matches, and driving bans require vehicle-related crimes. The reforms, led by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, aim to ensure community sentences are not perceived as lenient. “When criminals break society’s rules, they must be punished,” Mahmood stated, emphasizing restricted freedoms through measures like electronic tagging and curfews, described as “house arrest.”

The shake-up, spurred by a sentencing review to address prison overcrowding, will also allow judges to impose restrictions on offenders released early from jail as part of their license conditions, monitored by probation services.

Breaching these could lead to jail time. Additionally, mandatory drug testing will extend to all released prisoners, not just those with known drug issues. For sex offenders, expanded electronic tagging will enforce “restriction zones” to limit movement, creating a “virtual prison” in the community.