Private security firm monitoring released detainees for Australian Border Force

About 50 criminal detainees released by the High Court are being monitored under a commercial deal with Border Force, it can be revealed.

A private security firm is being used to monitor almost 50 asylum seekers released into the community, including some with criminal records.

The Australian Border Force says it has “entered into a commercial arrangement with a service provider”, which it refuses to name, which has “Smart Tag” devices used across five state and territory correction services.

Buddi Australia, which has a Smart Tag ankle bracelet, provides equipment to NSW Corrective Services electronic monitoring centre.

Five released detainees have been arrested within weeks of a High Court ruling it was unlawful for the federal government to indefinitely detain non-citizens who had served their sentences and had no realistic prospect of deportation or resettlement.

They included a convicted sexual predator once labelled a “danger to the Australian community” charged with indecently assaulting another woman at a Pooraka motel, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

Recently released detainee Aliyawar Yawari, who has been charged with two counts of indecent assault. Picture: Paul Garvey

In response to detailed questions from The Advertiser, the ABF says 147 released detainees require monitoring and 145 have been fitted with a device.

Corrective Services NSW has provided 100 devices, along with subsequent monitoring.

The remainder are provided by the private firm, along with monitoring.

“There are complex reasons, including health considerations, as to why some individuals who require a device have not yet had one fitted, and as such we cannot provide further detail,” the ABF said.

“For all of those not fitted with an electronic surveillance device, Operation AEGIS will work with the states and territories to ensure appropriate steps are taken to protect community safety.”

Asked what type of release condition breaches triggered device alerts and how these were triaged, the ABF did not directly respond.

But it said the ankle-worn Smart Tag provided full location-based monitoring using numerous technologies.

The Pavlos Motel on Main North Road, Pooraka, where Aliyawar Yawari was staying. Picture Dean Martin

“The Smart Tag securely provides location data directly to our service provider’s secure system, enabling individuals’ compliance with visa conditions to be monitored and managed,” the ABF response says.

“The service provider’s monitoring centre receives an immediate alert of any breach of a condition and notifies the ABF. For example, if an individual attempts to remove a Smart Tag, an alert is raised to the monitoring centre for immediate action.

“The Australian Border Force has arrangements in place to refer any breach of conditions to the Australian Federal Police for subsequent action. The Australian Federal Police and ABF are working together with state and territory authorities and law enforcement to ensure community safety.”

The ABF says providing further detail would be inappropriate, because this might risk “undermining the integrity of the ongoing operation” and would involve commenting on measures being taken for specific people.