Tasmania extends monitoring of domestic violence offenders

The state’s nation-leading approach to monitoring domestic violence offenders, parolees and those on home detention orders has been extended. How well the system is working >>

Executive Director Community Corrections Chris Carney holds an Electronic Monitoring Ankle Bracelet at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania’s nation-leading approach to monitoring domestic violence offenders, parolees and those on home detention orders has been extended.

Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation Madeleine Ogilvie on Monday announced a five-year $4.7m extension of the contract which fits electronic monitoring ankle bracelets to offenders and duress alarms for victim-survivors.

Monitoring and Compliance Unit at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Electronic Monitoring Ankle Bracelet . Picture: Chris Kidd

The Monitoring and Compliance Unit in Hobart tracks 38 family violence perpetrators, 74 parolees, 48 home detention offenders and has issued duress alarms to 53 victim-survivors.

Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation, Madeleine Ogilvie said the unit had been operating since 2019.

“Our nation-leading electronic monitoring program not only monitors offenders, it provides victim-survivors with the option of a discreet monitoring device which enables the MCU to alert them when the family violence offender they’d been involved with is nearby,” Minister Ogilvie said.

“This supports early identification of order breaches and rapid identification of high and emerging-risk situations. 

“Home detention orders, parole orders, high-risk offender orders and family violence orders can each include conditions that require electronic monitoring. 

“The government will continue to use this technology to provide offenders with the opportunity for rehabilitation in their community of origin in a manner that prioritises community safety.”

Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence, Madeleine Ogilvie. Picture: Chris Kidd

Executive Director Community Corrections Chris Carney. Picture: Chris Kidd

Community Corrections executive director Chris Carney said the system worked extremely well.

“We manage home detention orders, parole orders, high-risk offender orders, and also family violence orders,” Mr Carney said.

“We look after both the perpetrators through this device here, but we also issue victim-survivors with an electronic monitoring duress alarm, so it has a button that they can press in times of risk or need, that will support a rapid police response, and that can be linked to a perpetrator’s device as well.

“We haven’t had a single high-harm incident that has resulted while the system has been in place.

“It has significantly reduced risks across the board, particularly physical risks to victims.”

Ms Ogilvie said the government had committed more than $100m to implement its third Family Violence Action Plan 2022-2027.