Q&A: What’s in store for electronic monitoring? In this NZSM Q&A, David Tombs, Regional Vice President at Attenti NZ demystifies electronic monitoring bracelets and discusses their potential application in health and wellbeing and COVID self-isolation.
As an alternative to incarceration, electronic monitoring devices allow people to remain with their families, continue to work, and access legal representation. They are also cheaper than accommodating an offender in prison, and studies have shown that they assist in reducing rates of recidivism.
David Tombs, Regional Vice President – Australasia, Attenti Electronic Monitoring.
22
NZSM
According to its Regional Vice President David Tombs, Attenti works with Corrections and Justice Departments on both sides of the Tasman to provide programmes for bail and early release from custody. In Australia, they also run a private bail programme for people who might otherwise remain in custody for up to two years before their case goes to trial. Attenti has supplied and managed all electronic monitoring devices used
by the Department of Corrections for the past seven years, during which up to 6,500 people have been monitored at any one time. This contract is now in its final year. NZSM: What is the role of ankle bracelets and how do you monitor them? DT: The role of an ankle bracelet is to enable the wearer’s location to be identified to ensure they are where they should be, at the time they are required to be there. Electronic bracelets are individually configured according to the specifications laid down by the courts. If the wearer steps outside a certain zone, or is not where they should be at that time, or if they tamper with the equipment, an alert is generated at the monitoring centre and authorities are informed.
April/May 2022
