📋 Tender Overview
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security is today circulating for consultation a proposal to expand the scope for carrying out sentences with electronic monitoring (ankle links), and to allow the use of digital control measures in connection with leave of absence and parole from prison and from detention
"The Government believes that these are important measures to prevent relapse into new crime, while at the same time strengthening aftercare and social protection. The bills could free up capacity in the probation service to better follow up those who carry out sentences outside prison, says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl (Center Party).
When carrying out sentences with electronic monitoring, the convicted person has major restrictions on freedom of movement. Convicted persons are also entitled to employment in the form of work, education or similar, and are followed up closely by the correctional services. The consultation proposes both that more people can carry out the entire sentence with electronic monitoring, and that more people can be transferred to this towards the end of a prison sentence.
It is proposed that the right to carry out the latter part of the prison sentence with electronic monitoring be extended from up to 6 months to up to 12 months.
"The transition from prison to freedom can be great, especially for those who have served time for a long time. More use of shackles towards the end of the sentence can make it easier to get on your feet and establish a dignified life after imprisonment, for example by getting a job. At the same time, foot shackles will safeguard the need for control and social protection," says Mehl.
Carrying out the entire prison sentence with electronic monitoring will prevent any harmful effects of imprisonment. It will also help convicted persons to maintain their social and economic obligations during the execution of their sentence. It is proposed that the right to carry out the entire sentence with electronic monitoring be extended from up to 6 months to up to 9 months.
"It is good for society if as many people as possible can serve their sentence without falling outside society, if it can prevent recidivism in criminal tracks. Mental health challenges and isolation are also major challenges during incarceration. The government therefore believes we should extend the ability to serve the entire sentence with a shackle from 6 to 9 months," Mehl said.
The execution of sentences in prison and the transition from prison to freedom are particularly demanding for young convicts. It is proposed that the current legislation with expanded access to implementation with shackles for convicted persons under the age of 18 be retained. At the same time, it is proposed to extend the scheme also for convicted persons up to 25 years under a stair-step model. It is proposed that the younger the convict.
Execution of sentences with electronic monitoring can be carried out in an institution.
Furthermore, the Government proposes that the correctional services can use digital control measures in connection with community sentences, leave of absence and parole from prison and from detention. The proposal entails access to more appropriate controls, such as the use of video conferencing or remote substance abuse tests instead of physical attendance, which will entail major savings related to travel time for both the correctional services and the convicted. In addition, the Government proposes allowing further checks on convicted persons who are outside prison, for example on leave or parole. According to the proposal, these should be controlled, among other things, with electronic monitoring (foot links). The individual convicted person will not be subject to stricter control than under the current rules, but the right to control may mean that more people will be granted leave or parole, among other things.
Overall, the proposal could mean major savings for the correctional services.
