Alberta’s government has officially rolled out an electronic monitoring program designed to increase accountability for high-risk and repeat offenders as part of its Safe Streets Action Plan.
The program, launched Wednesday, uses GPS-enabled ankle bracelets to track offenders and those accused of crimes who are considered public safety risks.
This initiative aims to address concerns over Canada’s bail system, which Alberta officials say has allowed too many offenders to be released under inadequate supervision.
“Ottawa’s Bill C-75 has broken the bail system,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.
“High-risk offenders pose a significant risk to public safety and require enhanced supervision in the community. Ankle bracelet electronic monitoring is another tool in the toolbox for courts to consider when determining sentencing or bail conditions, helping us combat rising crime and create safer Alberta communities.”
The program, announced as part of the Public Safety Statutes Amendments Act, 2024, will enable Alberta Correctional Services to monitor individuals around the clock.
The ankle bracelets will help enforce offender-restricted zones, such as victims’ residences or other off-limits areas mandated by court orders.
Previously, supervision of offenders on bail or community release primarily occurred during business hours and did not include electronic monitoring.
The new GPS-based system allows for continuous oversight, giving probation officers and law enforcement better tools to track compliance with court-imposed conditions.
The initiative comes amid ongoing calls from Alberta’s government for federal bail and sentencing reform. Justice Minister Mickey Amery emphasized the importance of prioritizing public safety through measures like the ankle bracelet program.
“Alberta’s government continues to call for federal bail and sentencing reform to stop violent criminals from re-entering our communities,” said Amery.
“We remain committed to prioritizing the safety of Albertans through measures like the use of ankle monitors, strengthening the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, and policing to protect Albertans from violent criminals.”
The $2.8 million program for the 2024-25 fiscal year is being implemented with technology provided by SCRAM Systems, a vendor selected in August 2024 through an open procurement process. The contract for the electronic monitoring system is set to run until March 31, 2029.
The program aligns Alberta with similar initiatives in other provinces and complements existing community supervision tools, including regular probation reporting, referrals to community programs, and collaboration with police.