After receiving confirmation by Manitoba’s Minister of Justice in the Legislature today that the one year test project of using electronic ankle bracelets to monitor high risk car thieves would be extended by another year, Progressive Conservative Justice Critic Kelvin Goertzen said he is pleased the project is receiving positive results after his Party fought for years to have the technology used in Manitoba.
“It took a few years to convince the NDP that using electronic monitoring for criminals such as car thieves at high risk to reoffend was an important tool in reducing crime,” said Goertzen. “When the Minister of Justice announced that a test project would go forward he did it reluctantly, with scepticism and for only a one year test period. I am glad that he has confirmed the project will be extended for another year and that he now shares some of the optimism we had for the program.”
Goertzen and the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party had, over the past number of years, called on the current and former NDP Minister’s of Justice to use electronic ankle bracelets, which are common across North America, to track car thieves and other offenders at risk to reoffend.
Manitoba prosecutors have noted the success of the program and they have played a part in the reduction of some auto thefts.
Goertzen said he hopes now that the electronic monitoring project has been extended for another year after positive results that consideration will be given to using it on other types of high risk offenders as well.
“Ultimately, we would like to see any high risk offenders behind bars, but if they are in the community on parole, probation or awaiting trial, there needs to be some way to ensure their actions are monitored. This technology could be applied to a number of different kinds of offenders,” said Goertzen.
While Goertzen said he is glad this suggestion by the NDP was adopted, there is much more work to do to improve the justice system.
“As an opposition we have brought forward a number of ideas that at first where dismissed by the Government but that subsequently have been adopted and trumpeted as successful,” said Goertzen. “Unfortunately, there are many other significant changes that need to happen in Manitoba’s system of justice before we see crime rates reduced across the board and we have not seen a willingness by the NDP to make these fundamental changes,” said Goertzen.
