The provincial government is bringing in a new electronic monitoring program to help curb crime in Alberta.
"Alberta’s government is keeping a promise and implementing a new ankle bracelet monitoring program in response to the country’s problematic bail system. The ongoing catch-and-release policy brought in by Ottawa forced Alberta’s government to take additional action to protect families and communities," mentioned the province in a news release.
According to the Alberta government, starting Wednesday (Jan. 15), the ankle bracelet program will be used to keep high-risk and repeat offenders in check. It's called the Global Positioning System (GPS).
"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."
The program was given $2.8 million to cover costs for the 2024-25 year.
"Ankle bracelet electronic 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 continue to supervise individuals under provincial community-based court conditions and bail supervision," added the province.
The release says the vendor contract for the electronic monitoring program will end on March 21, 2029.