Ankle bracelet program to track P.E.I. offenders

For the first time, the P.E.I. Department of Justice is planning to track offenders through an electronic ankle bracelet program.

The ankle bracelets would be equipped with GPS and allow constant monitoring of an offender, tracked in real-time by an operator who can talk back and forth with the person wearing the bracelet.

The province says the monitoring devices would allow some inmates to be released from custody earlier. It also plans to use the bracelets to keep tabs on high risk offenders.

Allan Curley with the justice department says in some cases, the devices will allow some inmates to attend work, school or a rehab program.

In the case of high-risk offenders, they can be better tracked after release.

"It provides an enhanced level of security for the general public," Curley said.

"It also enhances the accountability for offenders. If you know that we have that bracelet on your ankle, and we know where you are at all times, then there's less likelihood that there's going to be any type of crime activity."

Overcrowding in P.E.I. jails

Trish Cheverie with the John Howard Society says with the program set to begin this fall, government should have come forward before now to explain how it will use the devices.

"Are the people going to wear the anklets going to have to consent to wear them? Are there going to be terms and conditions in their release that require them to wear them?" she asked.

"You know, there are all kinds of issues and I'm just a little surprised that we don't know more about what the plan is."

According to government documents, changes in federal sentencing rules have led to overcrowding in P.E.I. jails, particularly on weekends. It is hoped the bracelets help with that issue.

Curley would not say how much the program will cost, but a request for proposal posted on the finance department's website puts the value at between $50,000 and $100,000.