The Alberta government last week launched a program that makes it possible for repeat offenders deemed to be a danger to society having to wear electronic monitors like this as part of release conditions.
Repeat offenders who are a threat to public safety are subject to electronic monitoring in Alberta.
The government last week launched an electronic monitoring program as part of its Safe Street Action Plan.
“High-risk offenders pose a significant risk to public safety and require enhanced supervision in the community,” Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis said in a news release.
“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.”
The new provincial ankle bracelet electronic monitoring program officially launched Wednesday.
Through this program, offenders and accused who pose a public safety risk may now be subject to 24-7 court-ordered electronic monitoring by Alberta Correctional Services as part of their community supervision conditions.
Individuals under a court-ordered electronic monitoring condition will be required to wear a global positioning system (GPS) tracking device monitored by a new unit within Alberta Correctional Services.
“Alberta’s government continues to call for federal bail and sentencing reform to stop violent criminals from re-entering our communities,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Mickey Amery said. “We remain committed to prioritizing the safety of Albertans through measures like the use of ankle monitors, strengthening the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts and policing to protect Albertans from violent criminals.”
Ankle bracelet electronic monitoring will help 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 continue to supervise individuals under provincial community-based court conditions and bail supervision.
Previously, this supervision primarily occurred during regular business hours and did not involve the use of GPS electronic monitoring ankle bracelets.
Anyone under court-ordered electronic monitoring conditions will be informed of the program requirements, including the tracking of their location.
Alberta’s electronic monitoring program is supported by $2.8 million to cover implementation costs for the 2024-’25 fiscal year.
In August, the government selected SCRAM Systems as the technology vendor for the ankle bracelet electronic monitoring program through an open procurement process.
