Electronic monitoring

Electronic monitoring is another way to  manage and monitor offenders in the community and in some cases keep them out of jail.

How it works

Offenders wear a small device attached to their ankle.

This device keeps track of their location and reports this information back to their probation and parole officer.

They can use this information to make sure the offender is doing the right thing and in the place they are supposed to be.

If the offender is not where they should be, the probation and parole officer can take action quickly.

Who can be placed on electronic monitoring

Electronic monitoring can be used on offenders who must stay in a certain place and not leave such as those on home detention or a curfew.

It can also be suitable for offenders who are not allowed to go near certain places, for example a park, school or the house of a friend who has caused trouble for the offender.

Not all offenders with these conditions will be placed on electronic monitoring.

A probation and parole officer will do an assessment to see if an offender is suitable for electronic monitoring.

It is important that there is good phone and satellite signal in the area where the offender lives, and there is a suitable place for the equipment to be installed.

Fitting the device

A staff member from Community Corrections will meet the offender, usually at their home, and will fit the electronic monitoring device to their ankle.

They will explain how electronic monitoring works and make sure the offender understands the boundaries of where they have to stay.

They will test the equipment so they are sure it is giving accurate information about where the offender is.

What offenders must do

They must do all of the following:

• allow Community Corrections into their house to install the equipment, check it and remove it when their sentence is over
• stay where the court or probation and parole officer has told them to stay - an electronic boundary can be set around the home or premises and the offender must not go outside that boundary unless the probation and parole officer approves
• keep the electronic monitoring device's battery charged.

They must not:

• damage, shake or move the equipment installed in the house
• try and take the device off their ankle.

If an offender does tamper with the equipment, a message is sent to the probation and parole officer who will decide what to do.

If the offender doesn't follow the order

If an offender doesn’t follow their conditions, including electronic monitoring, the probation and parole officer will investigate and the offender may have to return to court to explain their actions.

If the probation and parole officer tells you that you have to go back to court they should contact their lawyer, they will explain the process and what the court might decide.

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