Electronic monitoring program expands throughout Manitoba: justice minister – Winnipeg [Video]

The Manitoba government says it’s expanding its electronic monitoring program to rural communities after a successful launch in Winnipeg this summer.

The program, justice minister Matt Wiebe said, tracks offenders through a GPS-enabled ankle monitor, and notifies survivors of intimate partner violence if their alleged abuser has breached conditions.

The GPS technology is also outfitted with audio, voice and vibration commands, meaning law enforcement can communicate with offenders in real-time if a breach in their court-ordered conditions — which could include something as basic as staying a certain distance away from a particular location — takes place.

“Our government is moving forward to expand the program to rural communities as part of our public safety strategy as we know crime is impacting families across Manitoba,” the minister announced Friday.

“We’re also moving to ensuring women, girls and gender-diverse people throughout the province are better protected from their abusers by expanding the monitoring program to include cases of intimate partner violence.