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Prison Overcrowding / Ministry of Justice begins reintroducing surveillance with Bracelets and GPS

2025-07-16 10:42:30Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
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After more than seven years and numerous investigations without concrete results regarding abuses of the Electronic Surveillance system, the Ministry of Justice has officially begun work on the return of the device known as the "electronic bracelet".

Exclusive sources for weblajm.com confirm that the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the National Agency for the Information Society (AKSHI), is in the first phase of procedures for restoring the functioning of the satellite tracking system for convicts or persons under alternative security measures.

The reinstatement of this system is expected to occur in September, as part of a broader plan to alleviate overcrowding in prisons and to avoid prison sentences as the sole security measure.

Electronic surveillance, which will be carried out through a dedicated monitoring room at the Ministry of Justice, is expected to guarantee a better balance between public safety and the rights of defendants and convicts. This technology will allow for the monitoring of persons who, for legal or humanitarian reasons, are not in prison but are subject to continuous electronic monitoring.

This development comes at a time when the Albanian penitentiary system faces serious challenges due to overcrowding and lack of adequate capacity.

What is electronic surveillance?

Electronic Surveillance is one of the reforms implemented in the Albanian criminal justice system and began operating in March 2013.

The implementing institution of electronic surveillance is the Probation Service. Electronic surveillance is used for persons who are subject to: Coercive measures (Criminal Procedure Code, points a, c and d), Alternative punishments (Criminal Code, articles 58, 59, 59/a and 64) Additional punishments (Criminal Code, paragraph 7 of article 30) Protection orders or immediate protection orders (law no. 9669, date 18.12.2006 “On measures against violence in family relationships”, as amended, articles 17 and 19) The restrictions set out in the court decision are monitored through a device that is placed on the person’s body through an operating room set up for this purpose.

The device communicates to the operating room the exit from the permitted area or the entry into the prohibited area by indicating. Who can be electronically monitored? The court or the prosecution requires the implementation of electronic surveillance for minors or adults who pose a low social risk and persons who are accused of a criminal offense punishable by no more than 5 years of imprisonment. The person must consent to being placed under electronic surveillance except in cases provided for by law.

The important actors in this process are the Court, the Prosecution Service, the State Police and the Probation Service. How does it work? Electronic surveillance works through an electronic bracelet (personal unit) and a central unit (home unit). The bracelet is placed on the person's ankle and is worn by the person at all times.

It is lightweight, shockproof and water resistant, which makes it possible to continue normal daily activities without being hindered by the device. The central unit (home unit) is placed in the person's home and receives signals at all times from the electronic bracelet, information which is transmitted to the operating room from where electronic surveillance is carried out. If the person leaves the permitted area, communication between these two devices is disconnected. At this moment, the operating room is signaled about the incident.

The reverse process applies to entry into the restricted area. Other signals that are sent to the operating room as appropriate are those when the device is damaged, attempted to be removed, moved, or if it is not connected to electricity. What happens if the conditions are violated? The moment a violation of the provisions of the court decision occurs, the operating room confirms the incident and informs the relevant authorities. Violation of obligations, whether intentional or repeated, can lead to the person being prosecuted and may result in the replacement or revocation of electronic surveillance.

What is the benefit?

Electronic surveillance provides a powerful system for enhancing the efficiency of the execution of court decisions for persons whose movement has been restricted and can promote increased public safety by improving the supervision of individuals in the community. Restriction of movement can also help impose discipline and daily structure on those being monitored; influence the breaking of patterns of criminal behavior and can enable participation in work, education or training activities/ weblajm


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