Shock new bail breach figures trigger $8.1m SA Govt splurge on new tracking bracelets

The number of South Australians breaking the rules after being granted freedom by the courts has hit an alarming new high and sparked a big spend.

Hundreds more electronic monitoring devices have been rolled out to support tough new laws in South Australia, amid a concerning increase in the number of offenders caught breaching their bail conditions.

The state government says it has now invested more than $8.1m for 220 more devices to allow correction officers to track offender movements around-the-clock.

Currently, 733 adults are on bail with the condition of mandatory electronic monitoring, an increase of 24 per cent over the past four years. In early 2021, only 589 adults were electronically monitored.

Corrections Minister Dan Cregan said he was committed to taking harsher measures against alleged offenders breaching their bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Similarly, the number of young people requiring monitoring increased by 73 per cent, climbing from 86 youths between 2021/21 to 149 in 2023/24.

Concerningly, the latest police have revealed an increase of 7 per cent in the number of offenders caught breaching their bail conditions over the last 12 months – with a total of with 16,700 charges laid against adults and children in 2024 while numbers have previously remained under 14,500 between 2019-2022.

Corrections Minister Dan Cregan said he is committed to take harsher measures against alleged offenders breaching their bail for the sake of community safety.

“While reported crime over the past year continues to fall, we are detecting and

finding those who breach bail more often using greater technology and other means,” he said.

“This investment will better equip corrections staff to detect breaches … (and) those who flout their bail conditions can expect to be caught.

Hundreds more electronic monitoring devices have been rolled out to support tough new laws in South Australia. Picture Supplied.

“The government is committed to supporting victims while delivering the services required to break the cycle of offending as quickly and early as possible.”

This comes after a new law was passed, which saw people accused of serious offending have a tougher time getting bail, as well as being subjected to stricter conditions if bailed.

This includes subjecting mandatory electronic monitoring on bailed DV defendants who breach their intervention order by committing physical violence or threaten physical violence.

The government has also moved legislation to strengthen bail laws for offenders facing child exploitation material offences, and ensuring defendants accused of state-based terrorism offences have a presumption against bail.

Originally published as Shock new bail breach figures trigger $8.1m SA Govt splurge on new tracking bracelets