The Manitoba government is expanding its electronic monitoring program with an additional investment of $1.2 million this year to add up to 100 more ankle monitors, as required to track offenders released on bail.
“Our government is taking important steps to make communities safer by putting another part of our public safety strategy into action,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe. “We’re cracking down on repeat offenders by expanding the electronic monitoring program and doubling the amount of ankle monitors to help keep people safe. We’ve heard from people across the province about the impact crime has had in their communities and they want repeat offenders held accountable to the release conditions. That’s why we took action to bring back this important program that was initially cut by the previous government. After a successful start to this program last summer, we are responding to the demand for more ankle monitors and devices to monitor those released on bail, ensuring the safety and well-being of Manitobans.”
The increased investment brings the total commitment to $2.7 million this year and will add up to an additional 100 ankle monitors as needed for a total of 200 devices. The program was reinstated in August 2024 to supervise offenders on community-based sentences and release orders to ensure they comply with court-imposed conditions. Electronic devices and monitoring services with a global positioning system tracking allow law enforcement to be notified of an offender’s location in real time and issue alerts if they enter a prohibited area. As of July 10, the program recorded a total of 321 participants with all 100 devices currently in use to monitor compliance, added the minister.
The program first started in Winnipeg last August and expanded in November to include Brandon, Souris, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach, Dauphin, Selkirk and Winkler. It also implemented alerts for victims of intimate partner violence. More devices will allow the program to expand to communities in northern Manitoba, noted Wiebe.
The program plans to introduce new curfew monitoring software that uses secure video conferencing and biometric identification to monitor offenders who do not require a traditional ankle bracelet. This approach will lessen the burden on police officers completing in-person curfew checks and allow them to focus on responding to emergency situations. Commissionaires Manitoba is contracted to oversee the program, the minister noted.
