Electronic tagging for offenders may be shelved over cost concerns

MaltaToday is informed that following a series of internal discussions, involving the police, home affairs officials and other governmental departments, it was reportedly decided that the introduction of electronic tagging was to be postponed as there are no funds to sustain the monitoring operation.

The electronic tagging of offenders is tied to the introduction of parole – the early release from prison under strict conditions – within the Bill on Restorative Justice released by Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici last January.

But as no tenders have so far been issued by the ministry for home affairs, at least two companies have shown a keen interest to provide the service of electronic tagging to offenders.

MaltaToday is informed that the ministry has been briefed by the two companies on the various systems available, and the infrastructure required to keep the operation going on a 24-hour basis.

Legal sources told MaltaToday that there could be no parole without electronic tagging.

“Keeping the current system of signing the bail-book at the local police station is antiquated and ridiculous,” one lawyer said, describing the recent scandal surrounding the granting of bail to suspects who committed a violent heist on a bank and were later involved in another heist as “evidence of a failed and antiquated system.”

The practice of sending people to jail for drug-related offences after they have been rehabilitated will come to an end under proposed legislation on parole.

For other crimes, eligibility for parole depends on the length of the jail term. Inmates serving a jail term of between one and two years may apply for parole after having served 33% of their sentence.

Prisoners serving a jail term of between two and seven years may apply for parole after serving half their sentence, while those with jail terms of more than seven years can only ask for parole to be considered after serving 58% of their sentence.

When introducing the Bill last January, Mifsud Bonnici said that the underlying principle behind the law was to ensure the Corradino Correctional Facility served its purpose as a rehabilitation centre for criminals.

“We want to reduce the rate of criminals who return to prison after serving a jail term,” he said.

Decisions on parole applications will be taken by a parole board composed of a retired judge – acting as chairman – and eight members chosen by the minister.

Every inmate admitted to prison will be examined by an Offender Assessment Board (OAB) that will prepare a work programme with defined targets. This will then be used as part of the assessment undertaken by the parole board when the person applies for early release.

The parole board can refuse applications and it can also impose conditions on persons granted parole, such as compensating victims of the crime and involvement in community work. The parole board can also recommend electronic tagging.

Violation of parole conditions will carry additional punishment and only prisoners jailed for more than a year will be eligible for parole.

The Bill includes a mechanism for mediation between criminals and their victims.

A committee will be set up to determine the suitability of both parties for mediation and oversee the process. It will be on a voluntary basis and either party can withdraw at will.

The Bill will also set up a Victim Support Unit within the Probation Service.

Another change being proposed is to the remission system, under which prisoners can have their sentence reduced by a third for good conduct. It will be overseen by a new board chaired by the prisons director.