Ankle bracelet program 'flawed'

Wed, Jul 31st 2013, 09:26 AM

The discovery of a dead man wearing an ankle bracelet on Monday has renewed the government's concerns about the electronic monitoring program, and has officials searching for answers.

Police believe the man was dead for at least a week.

Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell said yesterday the number of people who were killed while being monitored is "totally unacceptable".

He said the program is clearly "flawed".

Prime Minister Perry Christie also suggested yesterday the government may have to find a new company to monitor the people being electronically monitored.

But he said he did not want to pre-judge I.C.S. Security Concepts, the company contracted for the program.

"The questions that I would have, the questions that the average person would have, must be answered," Christie said.

"The answers would determine whether in fact you are talking about a new contractor."

Bell said based on his understanding, the system has the ability to pick up when someone being monitored is stationary for a period of time.

Police have not yet released the identity of the man whose body was found on a dirt road near the South Beach Canal on Monday.

Police said two fired cartridges were found near the body and the man's shirt had bloodstains.

Police believe he is a 30-year-old resident of Kennedy subdivision.

Asked how many people died this year while being monitored, Bell responded, "A totally unacceptable number.

That's what I would say.

"We have had a number of people, who were either found murdered on the ankle bracelet system or they were targeted or they actually went out there and committed more crimes this year." He continued, "The government is spending a substantial amount of money on this.

We know that in excess of 400 people are on the system.

"We know for a fact that as a part of the contract, even if a person is on the system and the person is re-arrested the government is being continuously billed for the bracelet.

"Even for the young man, who was killed [and found Monday], we know that he died more than a week ago, so it means the government is still being billed for these things."

Bell said while the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supported the introduction of the program, it expressed concerns ahead of the May 2012 general election about some fundamental issues with it and believed its implementation was rushed.

He said in other countries where the program has been implemented, ankle bracelets are being placed on offenders accused of petty crime, and not violent criminals.

"We have used the system to allow violent criminals to be released on bail, and as a result of that they are going to find ways and means," Bell told reporters in front of the Churchill Building.

"As a matter of fact you can even google how to release these bracelets. "The second problem is the technology that was brought here.

"There was clear evidence that the bracelet that we use had some fundamental flaws where people can cut them off; they drop off the grid, any number of factors, and the young man that was found is just another case."

Bell said the Ministry of National Security is reviewing the case, and others, and has already found several breaches.

He said the government is discussing the way forward with I.C.S Security Concepts.

The company has remained tight-lipped on the matter as it is still under police investigation. I.C.S Security Concepts' contract expires on November 1.

"We don't necessarily want to throw away the baby with the bath water," Bell said. "There is some degree of merit, but at the same time we are considering other prospects that are out there.

"The fact of the matter is government has invested in it, and the responsibility on them is to ensure there are no breaches. Either you can do it or you can't."

Christie, who spoke with reporters in a separate interview, said there are many questions the government has to ask, including whether it is possible to restrict someone being monitored, geographically.

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