Fears as private firm that offers GPS tracking services goes bust

An urgent review has commenced after a private firm that offers GPS tracking services for offenders on bail went bust, leaving authorities scrambling to locate the alleged offenders on bail.

A private firm that offers GPS tracking services for offenders on bail has collapsed, leaving police, justice authorities and courts across NSW and Victoria scrambling to locate alleged offenders on bail who are now unaccounted for.

BailSafe Australia, an independent GPS monitoring service provider for offenders on bail, which has offices in Melbourne and Sydney, reportedly shut its doors more than a week ago without notifying Victoria Police or the Department of Justice.

The website has since been taken down and the business owner’s email is no longer functional.

BailSafe Australia provided GPS ankle monitors for offenders. Picture: supplied

The for-profit company offered real-time electronic monitoring services for accused offenders, including drug traffickers, gang members, and white-collar offenders, while on bail and providing mental or drug rehabilitation services, acting as an alternative to being remanded in custody while they wait for their trial.

The service has become increasingly popular among accused criminals and has been approved by the order of a judge.

An investigation from The Daily Telegraph found 20 defendants across NSW had not been tracked for months, despite wearing BailSafe ankle monitors to track their whereabouts.

The company reportedly shut its doors without notifying authorities. Picture: NewsWire / Glen Campbell

The NSW government has since called for an urgent review into the provisions of private bail services such as BailSafe, blaming the lack of regulation on the former Minns government.

“The Department of Communities and Justice has urgently reviewed the use of ankle monitors for a small number of defendants on bail, where the ankle monitor is provided and monitored by private companies,” a NSW government spokesman told Radio 2GB.

“More than 20 defendants on bail were found to be wearing BailSafe ankle monitors. These cases have all been referred to police for them to take any necessary action.

“In the vast majority of cases where people are wearing ankle monitors in the community, the ankle monitors are overseen and closely managed by Community Corrections staff.

“This is the case when the ankle monitor is imposed, for example, for serious domestic violence offences.

“There are a small number of people in the community who have been given bail with a condition that they fund their own ankle monitor.

“The Minns government is not satisfied the regulation of these arrangements introduced by the previous Government is good enough.

“Attorney-General Michael Daley has asked his department to review the regulation of these providers and advise if any improvements can be made,” the statement continued.

Alarms were raised after the Law Society of NSW informed its members of BailSafe’s apparent closure. Picture: Glen Campbell/NewsWire

Alarms were raised when the Law Society of NSW informed its members that BailSafe “may have ceased operations without notice to the court, nor the accused persons currently being monitored by its devices”.

“(The Department of Communities and Justice) has asked the Law Society to convey this information to members who may be involved in making submissions in bail proceedings or working on operational bail matters,” the social media post read.

It is currently not known how many alleged offenders who relied on BailSafe for their ankle monitors are currently in Victoria, with the state’s authorities unaware of the business’ apparent collapse until they were notified by reporters at The Age.

A spokesman for the Victorian government told the outlet it was “unacceptable that this private operator has failed to notify state authorities about these developments” and stated the “relevant authorities” and the Office of Public Prosecutions had been notified.