Electronic monitoring effective for minor offenders, Thai Justice Ministry says

Electronic monitoring effective for minor offenders, Justice Ministry says
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- No violations by offenders wearing electronic monitoring (EM) bracelets have been identified since the system was introduced in March last year, a senior Justice Ministry official said on Monday.

Ministry's spokesman Wallop Nakbua said that no lawbreakers using the ankle EM bracelets were breaking the rules.

"The Probation Department is intending to expand the use of the EM nationwide now that courts have expressed confidence in the device and ordered wider use of it," said Wallop, who is deputy director of Justice Affairs Office.

The EM was introduced to solve overcrowding in prisons and is designed for those found guilty of minor offences.

The press briefing was told that of the 57 cases, 31 were convicted of traffic violations, 10 were involved in drug-addiction recovery offences, four had been found guilty of breaking and entering, three were involved in drug-related crimes, three in reckless-driving cases, two in offences against assets and one each in offences against life and body, Firearms Act and Inhalant Act.

So far, a total of 200 devices are currently being used and 3,000 have been prepared for this year.

Wallop added, "The use of EM is simply for monitoring wrongdoers. It is not an instrument that will be able to fully change offenders' behaviour."

Wallop said emphasis should be replaced on encouraging wrongdoers to take part in social work.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Electronic-monitoring-effective-for-minor-offender-30252688.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-27