New Legislation Strengthens Corrections’ Management of Electronic Monitoring Bail

Since 2013, courts have typically authorized Corrections to approve requests for monitored individuals to leave their designated address for essential purposes, such as medical appointments.

Legislation ensuring the Department of Corrections can continue to efficiently and effectively manage individuals on electronic monitoring (EM) bail has successfully passed through Parliament, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced today.

Since 2013, courts have typically authorized Corrections to approve requests for monitored individuals to leave their designated address for essential purposes, such as medical appointments. Corrections has maintained a safe and structured process for evaluating these requests.

However, recent concerns arose following a Ministry of Justice review aimed at simplifying the language used in bail notices. The review highlighted potential ambiguities in the Bail Act regarding Corrections' authority to manage these approvals.

"This legislation provides much-needed clarity for all participants in the justice system," Minister Goldsmith stated. "Without these changes, the courts would be burdened with processing thousands of individual requests, an approach that would be unsustainable."

The Department of Corrections currently oversees approximately 2,000 individuals on EM bail at any given time. On average, the department processes over 30,000 temporary absence requests each month.

By clarifying the law, this legislation ensures that Corrections can continue to oversee electronic monitoring bail efficiently while maintaining public safety and the integrity of the justice system.