Criminal monitoring devices run with old technology

TROUBLED electronic monitoring bracelets used to track dangerous criminals released into the community are being operating with outdated technology which was flagged for safety upgrades two years ago.

TROUBLED electronic monitoring bracelets used to track dangerous criminals released into the community are being operating with outdated technology which was flagged for safety upgrades two years ago.

It can be revealed the surveillance devices, which lost track of dangerous Victorian criminals during Telstra’s latest blackout, are run with old technology criticised for signal drop outs and coverage black spots.

In 2016, the state government signalled intentions to fit the devices with the “most advanced technology” to address security concerns, but the procurement process stalled.

TELSTRA OUTAGE SHUTS DOWN CRIMINAL ANKLE BRACELETS

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Surveillance devices which lost track of dangerous Victorian criminals during Telstra’s latest blackout are run with old, trouble-plagued technology. Generic picture: Supplied

The latest contract was signed by the previous government in 2013 and has been rolled over until the government accepts a new tender.

Opposition Corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue said: “By their dithering and delays, Daniel Andrews and his incompetent Corrections Minister, Gayle Tierney, are putting community safety at risk.”

“Victoria lacks the latest sex offender electronic monitoring technology because Daniel Andrews hasn’t bothered to finish a tender process that commenced two years ago.”

For several hours, hardened criminals were free to roam the community undetected as Corrections Victoria’s electronic surveillance system was down on Monday.

The security glitch has raised serious safety concerns within the community.

Corrections Minister Gayle Tierney has been blasted by Opposition Corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue over electronic monitoring bracelets. Picture: Kylie Else

The Herald Sun understands the state government is currently working to finalise a plan to upgrade security bracelets so criminals ordered to wear the devices will not fall off the grid during a network outage.

It is understood the devices will be fitted with new technology which will enable them to switch between networks during a service blackout.

Parolees and criminals on post-sentence orders were among those unaccounted for during the outage.

The ‘Village of the Damned’ - home to depraved paedophiles too dangerous to return to the community are also monitored through the technology.

It’s understood they remained under Corrections Victoria’s watch throughout the blackout.

It’s unclear how many crims were undetectable during the Telstra blackout.

Almost 100 offenders on supervision orders were being electronically monitored as of June last year, according to the Adult Parole Board.

The ankle bracelets have the ability to monitor offenders’ movements, alert authorities if they enter ‘no go’ zones or if they are not back at an approved location by curfew.

Former Corrections Minister Steven Herbert announced in 2016 that electronic GPS bracelets were to be strengthened after it emerged they could easily be removed with a standard pair of scissors.

2014: ELECTRONIC BRACELETS KEEP ‘DROPPING OUT’

G4S, which operates Port Phillip Prison, has been running Corrections Victoria’s electronic monitoring system since 2013 which it claims “has exceeded all expectations in terms of delivery,” according to its website.

However the devices have been criticised over multiple malfunctions including signal drop outs, coverage ‘black spots’ and false alarms over the past few years.

G4S declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for Corrections Victoria said the department had contracts with two providers of electronic monitoring technology and another for providing. mobile network service.

“All contracts have been extended until the end of 2018,” she said.

“Corrections Victoria is in the process of finalising a new contract, which improves on the current technology.”

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