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The future of electronic monitoring

Experts gather to promote a bold approach to electronic monitoring in Scotland.

Over 100 experts in the use of electronic monitoring are meeting in Perth today (Wednesday 25th August 2015) to look at how Scotland can make use of advances in technology, including GPS, and the latest international evidence as part of an improved approach to monitoring offenders across the country.

The conference has been organised as part of work being undertaken by a specially appointed Electronic Monitoring in Scotland Working Group which is exploring opportunities around the future use of electronic monitoring and is due to report to Scottish Ministers next year.

The event coincided with a new report out today from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research which found evidence that benefits can be gained from Scotland adopting GPS technology in electronic monitoring, in addition to the current radio frequency method. The research explored the potential uses of GPS monitoring for a number of offence types, domestic abuse, alcohol, sexual crimes, drug-related crimes and vehicle theft. The research also considered innovative and broader approaches to the use of electronic monitoring in general.

Visitors at the conference had an opportunity to see the latest electronic monitoring technology on display, including Remote Alcohol Monitoring systems, as well as hearing from international experts and people with a lived experience of electronic monitoring.

Speaking at the conference earlier, Mr Matheson said:

“I welcome these findings which is an important step forward in shaping the future of electronic monitoring in Scotland.

“For more than ten years we have successfully used radio frequency technology in electronic monitoring and our current approach is working. However, I am keen to explore how we could make use of the latest in emerging technologies, such as GPS.

“On the face of it, GPS technology appears to offer potential opportunities for the management of sex offenders or to be used in cases of domestic abuse. Some concerns have been raised in the past about the effectiveness of the technology so the expert group is currently undertaking a wide ranging review and testing of the technology. This latest research and today’s conference is another step forward in the evidence gathering of the group and I look forward to receiving their recommendations early next year.

“We know that the use of electronic monitoring can be flexible and tailored to support the individual, and can be a crucial tool in reducing reoffending by allowing those involved to maintain connections with their family, their community and their employment.

Notes To Editors

Links to the research reports can be found here: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/publications/scottish-and-international-review-of-the-uses-of-electronic-monitoring/

http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Scottish-and-International-Review-of-the-Uses-of-Electronic-Monitoring-Graham-and-McIvor-2015.pdf

The ‘Electronic Monitoring in Scotland Working Group’ was set up in October 2014 in response to a number of concerns raised by respondents to a consultation and today’s research was commissioned to establish the effectiveness of GPS and Remote Alcohol Monitoring technologies to ensure they are fit for purpose: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Electronic-Monitoring-11d1.aspx

Today’s report was commissioned by the Working Group.

Each day in Scotland around 800 people are monitored using electronic monitoring. Around 62% of these are community-based orders, like Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLOs) while the rest are offenders being released from prison.

This research included evidence taken from the use of electronic monitoring in areas including North America and Scandinavia was analysed for the research.

Today’s conference brought together over 100 experts from a range of organisations, including criminal justice social work, Police Scotland, third sector organisations, academia, Scottish Prison Service, local authorities and G4S at Perth Concert Hall.

The Cabinet Secretary addressed the conference, followed by guest speaker judge Michiel van der Veen, from the Netherlands. Visitors had an opportunity to see electronic monitoring technology on display at the conference, including Remote Alcohol Monitoring systems.

 

Channel website: http://www.gov.scot/

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