The Court may use a curfew requirement to reduce the offender's opportunities for criminal activity. It is an effective punishment because as well as restricting liberty it may also protect the local community from antisocial behaviour. It can help break patterns of offending by making offenders stay at an agreed address. Many people who are tagged say it gives them a new sense of structure and discipline.
Who is this suitable for?
Curfew is appropriate for people aged over 16 who do not need rehabilitative supervision, but where a curfew would be punishment and provide structure to their lives. Curfew hours are often set to times when offending has taken place, which could be during the hours of darkness. Orders last for a maximum of six months, with a curfew of at least two and up to twelve hours per day.
What might it involve?
A curfew order is similar to house arrest. People must stay indoors, usually at their home, for the curfew period. A tag, worn on the ankle or wrist, notifies monitoring services if the offender is absent during the curfew hours.
Electronically monitored curfews are also used for offenders released from prison under a Home Detention Curfew (HDC).
