Some prisoners released early under Labour have not yet been tagged

Some prisoners released early as part of Labour's efforts to ease overcrowding in jails have not yet been fitted with electronic tags, it has been revealed.

Several offenders released on licence told the BBC they had not been fitted with a tracking device despite it being a condition of their release.

One described the issue as a 'disaster waiting to happen', while a probation officer said it could 'potentially be dangerous'.

Some 1,700 prisoners were released early from their sentences last week in the first phase of the Government's plan to tackle prison overcrowding.

The exodus from jails across England and Wales included some convicted killers.

It came after ministers announced plans in July to cut temporarily the proportion of sentences which inmates must serve behind bars from 50 per cent to 40 per cent.

The measure is expected to result in 5,500 offenders being released in September and October.

It does not apply to those convicted of sex offences, terrorism, domestic abuse or some violent offences.

Labour said the action was necessary as overcrowding had pushed jails to the 'point of collapse'.

If released offenders are not fitted with ankle tags, they can not be monitored to ensure they are meeting their licence conditions. 

The Ministry of Justice blamed security contractor Serco, which manages the prison tagging system, for delays in fitting ankle tags to released inmates.

It said domestic abuse offenders were being prioritised for tagging to make sure they are following their licence conditions, such as staying away from their victims.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood was reported to be 'furious' over the delays.

Serco said it was working to reduce the backlog of released prisoners waiting to be tagged.

One offender released last week, who is ordered to stay at home from 7am to 7pm, told the BBC: 'They should have tagged me but they haven't and it means I can go where I choose.

'I don't want to end up back inside so I'm sticking to the curfew, but I know people who aren't doing that because they've not been tagged. It's a disaster waiting to happen.'

A probation officer said: 'We're hearing the same story from several staff saying that people haven't been tagged yet and it's going to cause problems.

'Seems like people were released without the conditions on which they were released on being properly ready, and that could potentially be dangerous.'

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'Tagging is an important part of our strategy to keep victims safe and cut reoffending, and there are currently record numbers of offenders wearing tags.

'We are holding Serco to account to address delays in fitting some offenders with tags, and will apply financial penalties against the company if this is not resolved quickly.

'While this issue is ongoing, we have prioritised tagging domestic abuse offenders to make sure their licence conditions, such as staying away from their victims, are strictly followed.'

A Serco spokesperson said: 'Since we took over the electronic monitoring contract in May we have been working hard to reduce the number of people waiting to have a tag fitted.

'We work closely with the Ministry of Justice and the probation service to fit tags swiftly and prioritise cases based on risk profiles.

'Where an individual is not at home when we call to fit a tag the time taken can be longer.

'We prioritise making another visit so that people are tagged as soon as possible.'