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By rdnewsNOW Staff

BEGINS JAN. 15

Alberta begins electronic ankle monitoring of repeat offenders

Jan 15, 2025 | 11:25 AM

The Government of Alberta is implementing a new ankle bracelet monitoring program as a part of its Safe Street Action Plan in response to Canada’s “problematic bail system,” officials say.

Beginning Jan. 15, high-risk, repeat offenders and accused who pose a public safety risk may be subject to 24/7 court-ordered electronic monitoring by Alberta Correctional Services as part of their community supervision conditions.

The implementation costs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year will be supported by $2.8 million from the province.

“Ottawa’s Bill C-75 has broken the bail system,” says Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services. “We are taking an important step toward combating rising crime. High-risk offenders pose a significant risk to public safety and require enhanced supervision in the community. As government, it’s our duty to protect Albertans and their communities.”

“Ankle bracelet electronic monitoring is another tool in the toolbox for courts to consider when determining sentencing or bail conditions, helping us combat rising crime and create safer Alberta communities,” adds Ellis.

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As announced in last spring’s Public Safety Statutes Amendments Act, 2024, individuals under a court-ordered electronic monitoring condition will be required to wear a GPS tracking device monitored by a new unit within Alberta Correctional Services.

The government says ankle bracelet monitoring will protect Albertans and communities by helping to secure offender-restricted areas such as victims’ residences, places of employment or any other area deemed off-limits as part of an individual’s bail or community-release conditions.

Probation officers within Alberta Correctional Services are expected to continue to supervise individuals under provincial community-based court conditions and bail supervision. Individuals under court-ordered monitoring conditions is to be informed of the program requirements, including location tracking.

“Alberta’s government continues to call for federal bail and sentencing reform to stop violent criminals from re-entering our communities,” comments Mickey Amery, minister of justice and attorney general.

The program is expected to enhance community supervision with around-the-clock monitoring and adds other community supports already used by probation officers, officials say.

In August 2024, SCRAM Systems was selected as the technology vendor for the monitoring program through an open procurement process. The estimated end date for the vendor contract is March 31, 2029.