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Electronic tagging has been introduced for prisoners in Guernsey who are let out early on conditional release.
The plans were due to be put in place later this year, but were brought forward in preparation for the corona virus pandemic.
"Given the fast evolving and ever changing situation with regard to corona virus, it seemed prudent to review the timeline associated with this plan," said Acting Prison Governor, John de Carteret. "I want to stress there are currently no plans for the early conditional release of prisoners, but it would be irresponsible for us not to have the appropriate mechanisms in place should these contingencies need to be implemented."
Factors including the type of crime committed, how the release would impact victims, court restraining orders will be taken into account before any decisions are made. The service will also consider whether early release would undermine the community's confidence in the administration of justice.
"I want to assure the public, the prison would never compromise its role in providing public protection whenever it considers any form of release on licence for prisoners," Mr de Carteret added. "We have a robust system of monitoring already in place for when prisoners are on day release.
"We firmly believe the technology and safeguards in place mean we can safely introduce this widely used tagging system and if conditions were breached by anyone, they would be returned to the prison.
"I want to thank the agencies we have worked with during this project who have allowed us to be in a position to launch it earlier in the year than we had envisioned."
Pictured top: Guernsey's Les Nicolles Prison.
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