Electronic 'tags' surveillance centre now operational

Probation officials show electronic monitoring devices to be worn by offenders of less serious crimes released back into the community, at the Probation Department on Monday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

The Justice Ministry on Monday opened a new centre capable of monitoring the movements of convicted offenders wearing electronic "tags", both in Thailand and overseas.

"It offers an alternative to imprisonment, reduces the chances of people learning more ways to commit crime while in prison, and allows those offenders to be with their families, mix in society as usual and make a living," Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Prajin Juntong said when opening the centre at the Probation Department in Bangkok's Laksi district.

Electronic monitors would be prescribed for offenders on probation, parole or convicted of petty crime. Their use also would be extended to juvenile offenders, ACM Prajin said.

Director-general Prasarn Mahaleetrakul said 4,000 electronic monitoring bracelets would be available for issue next month. The department had leased them from a private company for use until September 2020.

The monitoring centre would operate around the clock and could follow the movements of those assigned tags worldwide, using mobile phone networks, he said.

Wearers would also include people convicted of crimes such as trespassing, physical assault and sex offences whose victims were still afraid of them, Mr Prasarn said.

Wearers could not deactivate the devices and could be monitored worldwide, even if they were in a vehicle or up to two metres under water, he said.