National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage has suggested the government will seek to replace the company contracted to electronically monitor accused criminals when its contract comes to an end later this year.

"As I understand ICS' (Security Concepts) contract expires at the end of November," Nottage told The Nassau Guardian on Saturday.

"The government will put the contract back out to bid well before November and will choose a supplier who will provide us with the quality of service that we want."

Nottage's comments come after the discovery of the body of a man wearing an ankle bracelet last Monday. The man's body was discovered by a fisherman near the South Beach canal. Police said it appeared he was dead for at least one week. The discovery renewed the government's concern about the electronic monitoring program.

Over the past year, Nottage has repeatedly criticized the electronic monitoring program. Earlier this year he said it is not worth the money the government is spending on it.

The Ingraham administration signed a three-year, $2.7 million contract with ICS in December 2010.

I.C.S. Security Concepts CEO Stephen Greenslade said last week that he is willing to give up the contract to defend his company's reputation. He said he was satisfied that the company followed the proper procedure in monitoring the deceased's activities.

"I am satisfied that our staff are following the procedures that are laid out for the program, and are using the protocols that were designed to manage the program, manage the offender and manage their communication with the offender," Greenslade said.

However, Nottage said he has nothing to do with that process. Nottage said he thinks police are better suited to manage the monitoring program.

Currently ICS officials monitor the suspects and report any issues to police.

"The police should be doing the monitoring exclusively," he said.

"And when I say exclusively I mean they should be the ones who are actually doing the monitoring, not people who have to inform others because somewhere in that equation information doesn't (get) passed on in a timely basis, etc."

Nottage noted that the electronic monitoring program is extremely expensive. He said the government is being charged for bracelets that are not being used on suspects.

However, Nottage added that even with the expense and challenges associated with the monitoring system, he thinks it is still beneficial.

"The device is valuable in monitoring criminals - that's point one," he said. "Point two, though, is what we are doing now is not suitable for hardened criminals and for people who are charged with armed robberies and murder.

"I believe if the device was used properly for minor criminals who are seeking bail, I think it would be far more successful."

Nottage revealed that the government is looking for monitoring systems that may be more suitable for people accused of committing violent crimes.

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