WHAT IS THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING (EM) PROGRAM?

The EM Program is a system for keeping track of offenders who are serving their sentences in the community. The system includes a portable transmitter which offenders wear around their ankles. This unit sends out a radio signal that is picked up by a receiver attached to an offenders' home telephone. The signal is monitored 24 hours a day by Adult Corrections staff.

If the equipment is tampered with, or if offenders leave their homes without permission, Adult Corrections staff are alerted. Offenders can be returned to custody should they violate any program conditions.

HOW DOES THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING (EM) PROGRAM WORK?

Newfoundland is the third Canadian province to use Electronic Monitoring for offenders. The program began as a pilot project in St. John's in November 1994. The EM Program is a cost-effective way to deal with non-violent, low risk offenders who can safely serve their jail sentences in the community.

To be accepted, offenders must agree to participate in the program and meet the following criteria:

• they must have no pattern of violence in their history
• they must be serving a short sentence or be nearing the completion of a longer sentence
• they must be willing to obey the rules of the program and accept its restrictions
• they must have a suitable home environment for the program

ARE OFFENDERS ON THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING (EM) PROGRAM ALLOWED OUT OF THEIR HOMES?

Offenders must stay inside their homes unless they have permission to leave. Permission to be absent during specific times will usually be given for the following reasons:

• to attend community-based counselling programs
• to work
• to attend school
• to obtain medical care
• to participate in activities beneficial to the community and/or offender

HOW DO OFFENDERS GET ON THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING (EM) PROGRAM?

When an offender has been sent to jail, Adult Corrections staff decide who will be placed on the EM Program after careful assessment to determine suitability. While participating in the EM Program an offender will continue to earn remission ("good behaviour" time).

Once the decision is made to place an offender on the EM Program, he / she is fitted with an ankle bracelet device and released from jail on a permit known as a "Temporary Absence." The following conditions are standard to all EM temporary absences:

• to abstain from the use of or possession of intoxicants or narcotics and not to enter any drinking establishments
• to keep the peace and be of good behaviour
• not to associate with any individual who has a criminal record except when attending counselling programs
• to remain within the confines of their residence except during times authorized by EM staff
• to allow EM staff access to their residence periodically at any hour to verify compliance of a T.A. Permit
• not to be in possession of firearms or restricted weapons
• to attend counselling as directed by EM staff
• to provide a breath sample upon request for the purpose of alcohol and drug testing

Violating any T.A. condition usually means a return to jail. In addition to the monitoring provided by the electronic device, Adult Corrections staff will visit offenders homes to make sure they are complying with all conditions.

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