Electronic monitoring: Important information for employers
Last updated: 26 Feb 2026
For all enquiries regarding Electronically Monitored Bail, please contact the EM Team on 0800 EM BAIL (362 245) or email emteamadmin@corrections.govt.nz
Electronic monitoring as a condition of bail (EM Bail) is granted to suitable defendants who would otherwise be remanded in custody, in prison, while awaiting a court hearing.
A person on EM Bail wears an electronic monitoring tracker and lives at an address approved by the Court.
About Electronic Monitoring
The Court can impose electronic monitoring as part of the defendant bail conditions. This requires a tracker to be worn 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and to always live at the address approved by the Court.
The bail conditions will determine when the defendant must remain at the address approved by the Court. If they need to leave the approved address during their curfew for an approved purpose e.g. employment, they MUST speak with the EM Team.
If there is a breach any of the EM Bail conditions, this will be reported to Police. This could result in an arrest.
How electronic monitoring works
The electronic monitoring equipment will be set up at the defendant home address approved by the Court. However, if the electronic monitoring equipment is installed at the worksite the employer must agree to a Field Officer from First Security to check the defendant equipment if there is an issue with it during the workday.
The defendant will be fitted with an electronic monitoring tracker on their ankle. They will be required to charge their tracker for 2-hours every day. They will also be issued with an On Body Charger (OBC) that enables the tracker to be charging without being connected to a power socket. This will allow them to carry out most normal activities in their approved environment.
The tracker is monitored by the EM Team who can confirm the defendant whereabouts at any time.
Who are the Field Officers?
The Department has contracted First Security to provide electronic monitoring services. First Security provides the electronic monitoring equipment including installing and responding to alerts. Field Officers will always wear First Security identification tags and will be in a First Security uniform.
What would be suitable employment?
The defendant will need a bail condition to state if they can attend employment, including hours, days and locations. If there is an employment condition, approval will then need to be given before they can attend work if specific hours and locations are not specified.
Who approves if the defendant can undertake employment?
The Judge decides if the defendant is allowed employment or continue with a particular type of employment while being on EM Bail.
If the defendant is directed not to take up a particular type of employment or be employed by a particular employer, the EM Team will advise the defendant of the reason why. This may include not having the relevant bail condition and they may need to make an application via their lawyer to the Court requesting to change the bail conditions. This is also called a bail variation.
Reasons for directing the defendant not to engage in particular types of employment may include, but are not limited to, the
- Nature of work, workplace(s), locations (e.g., residential addresses)
- Some work locations might be unsuitable where the tracker may interfere with on-site equipment or not provide sufficient monitoring
Sharing information about the defendant charges
The employer or their authorised representative will only be told about the charges if the defendant provides consent. Information regarding their chargers is confidential and are not to be shared with anyone else.
Responsibility for the defendant at work
Other than being responsible for providing the standard conditions for employment, the employer is not responsible for the defendant being on EM Bail. An employer may be asked to verify employment contract and attendance and assist the EM Team with any enquiry; however, the specific charges will not be shared without the defendant consent.
The employer is like an approved sponsor for the defendant and someone who the Court expects will be a positive influence and will not intentionally allow or support non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the electronically monitored bail order.
Visits to the defendant at work
It is possible a Field Officer or Police may attend the workplace if the defendant has not charged their tracker or if they have breached any of their bail conditions.
Where possible, these visits will be made when it will cause the least disruption at the workplace.
If the defendant leaves the workplace without prior approval, it is imperative to let the EM Team know as soon as possible.
Absences from work
The employer must accept that the defendant may be required to attend Court or any other appointments as part of their bail conditions.
If the hours of work change
Depending on the wording of the bail condition to attend employment (if it specifies work times or not), the defendant may need to make an application via their lawyer to the Court requesting to change the bail condition.
If the Judge grants the variation to their bail conditions the EM Team will be notified of the changes.
If there is a change to the employment situation
If the terms or employment changes the EM Team should be informed as soon as possible.
If the bail condition is specific this may require a variation of their bail condition.
If the bail condition is not specific, the EM Team will require an updated contract directly from the employer.
If a defendant fails to report to work
If the defendant fails to report to work, the employer or the employers authorised representative should notify the EM team immediately or 0800 EM BAIL (0800 362 245) or via emteamadmin@corrections.govt.nz
In an emergency situation
The defendant can leave without permission:
- where personal safety is at immediate risk and to call Police on 111
- where serious harm has occurred or could occur to the defendant or to another person if they do not leave, the defendant may leave, and the employer must contact the EM Team as soon as possible.
Withdrawing consent
Employers may at any time withdraw their consent to a person on electronic monitoring working at their workplace. No specific reason for doing so is required. The employer should contact the EM Team or 0800 EM BAIL (0800 362 245) or via emteamadmin@corrections.govt.nz as soon as possible to update our system.
Contact with the EM team
The EM team’s role at Corrections is to keep in contact with the defendant and employer, and are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and can be contacted on 0800 EM BAIL (0800 362 245)