Victim Services at CSC
Electronic Monitoring Program Pilot (EMPP)
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) implemented an Electronic Monitoring Program Pilot (EMPP) with offenders on parole in the Ontario Region in September 2008.
As part of the pilot, up to 30 federal offenders will wear ankle bracelets with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
This new technology allows CSC to monitor participating offenders' whereabouts at any given time. Alerts are issued if an offender violates parole conditions such as curfews or location restrictions. An alert is also issued if an offender tampers with or fails to charge the ankle device.
What is the purpose of the EMPP?
The pilot is allowing CSC to test the information received through GPS technology and assess the ankle bracelet's potential as an additional supervision tool for managing offenders in the community.
The pilot is also allowing CSC to assess the value and benefits of implementing a larger-scale electronic monitoring program.
What types of offenders are selected for participation in the EMPP?
CSC is piloting the technology on offenders who are subject to a curfew condition or offenders on Full Parole or Statutory Release with a Residency condition who have demonstrated progress while on release in the community. CSC is also piloting the technology on offenders who require extra supervision while on conditional release in the community, including offenders who are subject to a location restriction.
How is the EMPP contributing to public safety?
CSC is committed to enhancing public safety. By adding to the many supervision and risk management tools available to Parole Officers, the EMPP contributes to public safety by increasing offender accountability, encouraging positive behavioural changes and enhancing staff safety.
Who is in charge of the offenders being electronically monitored?
Parole Officers are responsible for supervising all offenders in the community. Parole Officers work closely with staff from the National Monitoring Centre to effectively manage those offenders who are being electronically monitored.
Electronic monitoring is not intended to replace traditional means of supervising offenders on release. This additional monitoring tool is enabling Parole Officers to analyze data received from the tracking device and verify whether or not offenders are obeying their parole conditions.
What are the next steps?
The pilot will be completed after one year. Results will then be evaluated to determine if electronic monitoring technology represents an effective use of CSC resources.
For more information, please contact Paul Charkavi, Project Officer, EMPP, at 613-947-8970 or by email at charkavipa@csc-scc.gc.ca
