FOR the first time in this country’s history, a person convicted of a criminal offence was affixed with an electronic device, allowing the State to monitor the person’s whereabouts continuously and with immediate effect.
The installation of the device was performed on Wednesday by the Ministry of National Security’s Electronic Monitoring Unit, following an order of the High Court on April 23.
The offender was granted bail, on a condition of compliance with the parameters of the Electronic Monitoring Programme.
The Ministry of National Security in a media release stated that the offender will be placed on home detention for one year and will be required to wear the electronic monitoring ankle device 24/7 for that duration. Failure to comply with any of the terms of the order will result in the revocation of bail and immediate withdrawal from the Electronic Monitoring Programme.
The Administration of Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Act was assented to on July 3, 2012. Amendments to this Act were subsequently made through the Administration of Justice (Electronic Monitoring) (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2020 to make provision for the implementation of an electronic monitoring system in Trinidad and Tobago and the use of electronic monitoring devices as part of the criminal justice system.
The legislation allows the Court to impose a sentence of electronic monitoring for an offence committed; in lieu of a sentence of imprisonment or part of any sentence imposed. The Court may also impose electronic monitoring as a condition of bail or a Protection Order made under Section 5 of the Domestic Violence Act. Both pieces of legislation were proclaimed by President Paula-Mae Weekes on September 18, 2020.
The act provides for a fine of $50,000 and six months imprisonment for contravention of the Electronic Monitoring Regulations. The act also makes provision for a fine of $100,000 and two years imprisonment for tampering with or removal of an electronic monitoring device.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is empowered, under the Act, to immediately arrest any person who fails to comply with any agreement or condition related to the programme.
The Ministry of National Security stated, “Electronic Monitoring is one of the major initiatives being implemented by the Government of T&T to transform and modernise the criminal justice landscape in this country.
The Electronic Monitoring System is intended to contribute to the overhaul of the Penal System in T&T by introducing a new sentencing option to the court as an alternative to incarceration, with a view to reducing prison overcrowding and introducing a more effective offender management system.”
