Introduction to Electronic Monitoring

What is electronic monitoring?

Electronic monitoring (EM):

• is a standard condition of HD (both the order and sentence) and residential restrictions (RR), and
• can be a special condition of parole or extended supervision orders.

It allows CPPS to monitor an offender's compliance in relation to their whereabouts, curfews, and any other special conditions.

• Offenders subject to HD or RR conditions are required to be within electronically monitored boundaries at all times, unless an approved absence has been authorised.
• Offenders subject to RR at specified times or EM on parole or extended supervision are required to be within electronically monitored boundaries during specific time periods (curfews).

In both situations, EM services are provided by a contractor (Chubb NZ) responsible for monitoring and responding to electronic alarms.

CPPS staff manage both the offender and the interface with the monitoring company to ensure that offenders comply with their monitoring conditions.

Reference: For more information about the EM equipment, see the booklet A Brief Description of Chubb NZ's Equipment.

Legislative references: Sections 15 and 33 Parole Act 2002.

How monitoring works

Offenders subject to EM are fitted with a transmitter bracelet. This is worn 24 hours a day, even though the offender may only be subject to a curfew for part of the day.

Special equipment installed in their residence creates an electronic boundary around the location.

The electronic receiver (home unit) registers a signal from the offender's transmitter bracelet when the offender is within the electronic boundary.

All information is sent to a central database where monitoring company staff are actively monitoring all information received at the monitoring centre.

Some messages will activate an alarm in the monitoring centre. The alarms can be triggered by:

• equipment tampering, or
• a curfew violation.

The type of alarm activated determines the monitoring centre's response. These responses will be detailed later in this section.

GPS monitoring

GPS monitoring can also be available for a limited number of offenders subject to EM, in addition to being monitored using the home unit.

A GPS locator unit carried by the offender records its location and communicates this information to the monitoring company where the offender's movements are recorded and displayed on a map.

Reference: Volume 2, Part V, Chapter 2, Section 2C, GPS Monitoring. (please refer to the related links section on this page)