2024-09-06
The ACT Government is preparing to introduce electronic monitoring for existing community-based orders in a staged approach to implementing the technology in the Territory’s justice system.
The introduction is still subject to the passing of legislation, funding and procurement, but work is underway to commence the first stage for Intensive Correction Orders, parole, limited bail and those on leave permits.
The second stage will be focused on new schemes, such as home detention, early release, post-release supervision, expanded bail and intensive monitoring for domestic and family violence perpetrators.
The government is working closely with domestic family violence (DFV) stakeholders to navigate the complexities of using electronic monitoring in cases involving family violence. This collaborative approach will ensure that any decision to use electronic monitoring in these situations considers victim safety and includes mechanisms to assess risk.
The Justice and Community Safety Directorate will now go to market with a Request for Proposal to seek electronic monitoring solutions and indicative costs from potential suppliers to meet the needs of the ACT.
Implementation of the first stage will also require legislative changes and training, resourcing and operational changes for ACT Corrective Services, ACT Courts, the Sentence Administration Board and ACT Policing.
The government acknowledges that the reasons for offending and recidivism are complex. However, electronic monitoring has great potential for increasing the likelihood of a person’s successful transition though the justice system and consequently not reoffending. The staged implementation of electronic monitoring will allow the system to progressively roll out, ensuring stakeholders and the community are confident in its effectiveness before it’s used for higher-risk offenders.
Quotes attributable to Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury:
“While electronic monitoring is not a panacea for preventing a person committing a crime, it can be a useful tool to identify and respond to non-compliance of location-based restrictions for people on pre and post-sentence community-based orders such as bail, parole and Intensive Corrections Orders where appropriate.
“Adequately funded, proactive wraparound support and timely responses to breaches will be critical to ensuring the Territory has an effective electronic monitoring system.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections and Justice Health Emma Davidson:
“This staged approach to electronic monitoring will help keep victims of crime safer while ensuring people can remain well connected with their community and have a more positive trajectory for their rehabilitation.
“Stage one starts with lower-risk individuals, who already have significant supervision and support, before it is expanded to those who might not qualify for community-based orders without electronic monitoring.
“The second stage will focus on new schemes, such as home detention and early release, to help reduce incarceration rates by diverting people to stay in the community and access they services they need to make safer choices in the future – as we have seen in other jurisdictions.”
Quotes from other Ministers have been removed from the original government media release at their request