Quebec’s tracking bracelets shows strong compliance after its launch four years ago

Quebec’s electronic tracking bracelet program has shown strong compliance since its rollout four year ago, according to one of its monitoring centres.

Commissionaires du Québec is one of two monitoring centres hired by the province that coordinates with law enforcement that oversees monitoring the movements of offenders.

The tracking bracelets were launched in 2022 by the provincial government in an effort to ensure the safety of victims of intimate partner violence.

“We ensure that victims have confidentiality and can go about their daily lives without feeling tracked. The monitoring center does not know a victim’s location unless there is a danger or proximity situation happening,” said Gustav Nadeau Söderström, director of projects and innovations.

According to the centre, if an abuser goes within the court ordered perimeter of their victim, a loud warning sound will trigger through their ankle monitor, and they are advised to retract. Police are called to intervene if offenders don’t comply.

Reinforces security

But at this centre, the compliance rate is 96 per cent, meaning almost all warnings are resolved without police intervention, the centre says.

“We manage things without having victims receive that call and ensure their safety at the same time, then we avoid calling,” he said.

Melpa Kamateros, executive director of Shield of Athena Family Services, was one of many voices calling for the tracking bracelet program to be implemented.

“It reinforces security and it has less potential of the abusive partner getting close and getting a chance to kill, their ex-wives or intimate partners and their children,” Kamateros said.

“It’s the first time that the onus of the responsibility for the violence -- instead of being put on the victim to protect yourself -- is put directly on the abusive person.”