Ethan Ross’ escape sparks call for urgent review of SA’s electronic monitoring devices

Ethan Ross’ escape after removing his ankle bracelet has triggered urgent calls for a review of South Australia’s electronic monitoring system.

• Ethan Ross escapes home detention

A man’s escape after cutting off his ankle bracelet has ignited urgent calls for an audit of electronic monitoring devices, amid concerns over their effectiveness.

Ethan Lenny George Ross fled his Salisbury bail address last Friday after he removed the ankle monitor used to track him.

Just before 6pm on Thursday evening, SA Police revealed Ross, 29 from Salisbury, had handed himself in to the Elizabeth Police Station.

Ethan Ross leaving court.

Ross, who was on home detention bail, pleaded guilty in January to one count of supplying/administering a controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, to his former girlfriend Amy Bowden, 26.

Ross injected Amy with methamphetamine in a bid to save her from a heroin overdose, however she passed away.

Amy’s devastated mother Michelle said the Corrections Department only told her on Tuesday that Ross was then on the run, saying it was “hard enough hearing he’d even been released on bail in the first place” and his escape was “only adding to our anxiety”.

The Opposition is now calling on the State Government to undertake an immediate review of the ankle bracelets currently monitoring more than 700 alleged criminals on home detention in South Australia.

“What is stopping any of these other 700 people with ankle bracelets simply ripping them off and taking off?,” Opposition spokesperson for community safety Jack Batty said.

“The government must take action today to ensure that electronic monitoring devices are fit for purpose.

“The minister must assure us that those currently enjoying prison from home are not a risk to the community.”

A government spokesperson said authorities were monitoring offenders “around the clock, detecting bail breaches in real time and opening up a record number of prison beds to keep the community safe”.

“Our $8.1 million investment for 220 additional devices has led to a 30 per cent increase in monitoring of adults on bail whose movements can be tracked 24/7,” they said.