Ottawa- The method of keeping track of paroled offenders is being examined by the Federal Government in Ottawa.

New Methods To Track Members On Parole Examined

Ottawa- The method of keeping track of paroled offenders is being examined by the Federal Government in Ottawa.

A special one year trial program using tracking ankle bracelets and anklets has begun in Ottawa, according to Health and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.

Starting in September 2008, about 30 different Canadian Federal prisoners will be fitted with a ankle device that has a built in Global positioning satellite system device.

It will be an optional program, paroles will not have to wear the device, but if they do cooperate then they will open themselves up for positive cooperation and the ability to benefit from shorter sentences.

It is a one year trial program that will cost the Government about $600,000 dollars.

It is based on a similar model program that has been successful in Nova Scotia.

This program allows the government to track people on parole, or work release, and when an offender goes someplace where they are not supposed to be, or at a time they should not be, then the Government has a way of telling.

The prisoners that are chosen for this first year testing will be a mix, but at least some of the trial group will be serious offenders or sexual offenders.

The program will be located inside of Ontario, mainly in the Toronto region.