Electronic monitoring: Important information for offenders

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UPDATED: 14 February 2022

Corrections is moving to a new provider for electronic monitoring.

From 17 February 2022, all new people with a sentence or order which includes electronic monitoring will have the new equipment installed. The new equipment combines both Radio Frequency (RF) and Global Positioning System (GPS) into one device. All people on electronic monitoring will have the same device regardless of their sentence or order.

For anyone currently on electronic monitoring, your tracker will be replaced with a new one before August 2022. Your probation officer will be in contact with you when the changes to trackers begin to confirm when your tracker will be swapped

All other information on this page will be updated to reflect these changes in the coming weeks.

About electronic monitoring as part of your sentence/order

The Court or the New Zealand Parole Board has imposed electronic monitoring as part of your sentence/order. This requires you to wear a tracker on your ankle 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. A monitoring unit will be placed at your home address.

Your Probation Officer will visit you to complete a full sentence/order induction which will explain the details of your sentence/order and provide you with further information.

The conditions of your sentence/order will determine when you MUST remain at your home address. If you require an absence to leave your address during your curfew, you MUST speak with your Probation Officer and get this approved.

What if there is an emergency?

You can leave without permission ONLY:

  1. to seek urgent medical or dental treatment; or
  2. to avoid or minimise a serious risk of death or injury to you or any other person (such as fire, earthquake, flood or violence).

Should you need to leave the address in an emergency, you may do so but you MUST contact your Probation Officer as soon as possible to advise them of the emergency.  This information will be explained to you by your Probation Officer at your sentence/order induction.

If you leave the address in an emergency you MUST contact your Probation Officer as soon as possible.

Electronically monitored boundary

The boundary is the area in which you MUST remain during your curfew. This has been defined by your Probation Officer. If you have any questions about your boundary, please discuss with your Probation Officer.

Electronic monitoring equipment

Electronic Monitoring Equipment

Charging your tracker

If you have a GPS tracker you will be required to charge this for 2 hours every day. The cordless charger enables you to charge your tracker without being tethered to a power socket and will allow you to carry out most normal activities in your home environment while charging.

To charge your tracker unplug the cordless charger from the power lead and attach it to the base of the tracker.

You need to charge your GPS tracker for two (2) hours every day.

How long does it take to fully charge?

To fully charge a low tracker battery will take approximately 2 hours. The “Power” light on the charger turns from red to green when the battery is fully charged. The tracker vibrates when being connected to, and disconnected from, the charger. The tracker will also vibrate when the tracker’s battery levels are low indicating that you need to immediately charge your tracker.

What if the tracker or monitoring unit is damaged?

Any damage must be immediately reported to your Probation Officer. You must provide all information about how the unit got damaged. If the damage is intentional, you will be pursued through the courts for reparation.

Taking care of your electronic monitoring equipment:

DO NOT:

  • have the cordless battery attached to the tracker when bathing or showering
  • let the cordless charger get wet (GPS only)
  • move the monitoring unit
  • open any of the equipment
  • unplug the monitoring unit
  • cover the monitoring unit
  • let the monitoring unit get wet
  • paint or otherwise modify any of the equipment
  • expose the equipment to heat or cold
  • damage the equipment in any way
  • tamper with the equipment in any way
  • leave the address when the cordless charger is attached to your tracker.

Having a shower or a bath while wearing your tracker is OK.

Who are the Field Officers?

A person from the monitoring company who will install, maintain and check the monitoring equipment and respond to any alerts. The Department contracts 3M to provide and manage the monitoring equipment and the Monitoring Centre. 3M staff carry out all electronic monitoring field services including installing and servicing your electronic monitoring equipment and responding to alerts. Field Officers will wear a 3M/FIRST Security identification at all times and will be in a FIRST Security uniform.

Who to contact about your sentence/order

All queries should be directed to your Probation Officer in the first instance. Should you have any questions about your sentence/order contact your Probation Officer.

If you require urgent/emergency assistance after 5pm on weekdays or on the weekend contact the Corrections Services team on 0800 555 677.

How can I find out more about electronic monitoring?