GPS trackers for offenders on way

The Corrections Department plans to begin trialling GPS devices next month to track offenders on home detention and parole.

The technology would make it easier to trace offenders on the run.

A Corrections spokesperson says it is still working through what equipment it will test, but it is understood one of the options could be ankle bracelets with built-in GPS transceivers. "It is proposed that the trials will be conducted across New Zealand to test variable geographical and weather conditions, and will not in the first instance be tested on offenders.

"Subject to trial outcomes they may then be extended to involve a selected number of offenders."

Corrections will assess the accuracy of the tracking, the reliability of monitoring alerts and reporting, usability of equipment for the offender, and "inclusion and exclusion zone" features – which would set out areas where an offender is and is not allowed to go, and trigger an alert if they strayed.

It will also test the ability of the equipment to support radio frequency monitoring and location-based monitoring based on mobile network signals, plus GPS monitoring.

Corrections trialled an earlier generation of GPS technology in 2006 that required the offender to wear an ankle bracelet and carry a separate GPS unit.

The GPS unit received regular radio signals from the bracelet, so an alarm could be triggered by the unit if the offender left home without it or dumped it, but patchy satellite coverage and accuracy problems meant Corrections did not go ahead with a roll-out.

- © Fairfax NZ News