ELECTRONIC MONITORING FOR PAROLED OFFENDERS ON THE CARDS

'Ten prototype bracelets being developed'

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

THIRTEEN years after the first piloted Electronic Monitoring Project, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald confirmed they were exploring its return to supervise parolees.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have collaborated for the reintroduction phase, which will be discussed at a summit next month on the revision of the parole system.

Together, they are developing 10 prototype bracelets for an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS), which is currently under scrutiny for its effectiveness.

Groenewald's spokesperson, Eune Oelofsen, last night confirmed the reintroduction was on the cards.

"Yes, the minister and the department is currently exploring the use of electronic monitoring systems to enhance the supervision of parolees. We are in the preliminary stages of implementation, and this initiative is a work in progress. We anticipate further discussions on this topic during the upcoming summit focused on the revision of the parole system scheduled for September."

But Golden Miles Bhudu, national spokesperson for the SA Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPHOR), together with DA MP and Member on Security and Justice Nicholas Gotsell and GBV activists have criticised the move, saying it would be another failure and a waste of tax payers' money.