The number of convicts released on parole in Moldova rises annually. Their monitoring entails time and money and using GPS monitoring bracelets would be a solution. The issue was discussed in a roundtable meeting centering on the costs and benefits of electronic tagging, held under the aegis of the European Union and the Ministry of Justice of Moldova, IPN reports.

The project’s team leader Graham Johnson said the electronic monitoring of convicts is regarded as a part of the process of reforming justice in Moldova. This method is widely used in Europe and is cost-efficient. An advantage of this system is the fact that it helps keep the family and reduces the additional burden on the state.

Moldova’s Parliament approved the draft law on the electronic monitoring of convicts in the first reading. The convicts will be asked if they want to be monitored this way or according to the old method. The worn bracelets will transmit signals through the telephone to the monitoring center. The courts will rule from the start where the detainees can go and where they cannot go.

A sum of 500,000 lei was allocated initially for introducing electronic tagging. At the first stage, the electronic monitoring system will cover about 100 persons, with a gradual rise to 500 in 2018. The company from which the bracelets will be bought will be chosen at a tender contest.

By such amendments to the legislation, the Ministry of Justice aims to reduce the number of violations of the probation regime by 30% until 2018.