The electronic tagging scheme is being extended to allow prisoners to be released earlier to ease prison overcrowding, according to probation officers.

The National Association of Probation Officers (Napo) said governors were being told to free more prisoners - even those considered likely to reoffend.
An extra 1,000 prisoners would be freed every month - raising the monthly average to about 2,600, says Napo. It said it was "a panic measure" as prison numbers have risen to 75,000.