Home detention
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home detention commenced as a new option for the criminal justice system in October 1999 in New Zealand. Home detention has been put into effect in the United States, United Kingdom and many more countries/states. There also been under an extensive trial in the state of Victoria, Australia. It allows eligible offenders to serve their sentences in an approved residence outside of the prison under electronic and physical surveillance, and intensive supervision by Probation Officers from the Community Probation Service.
Home detention provides an alternative to imprisonment and aims to reduce re-offending while also coping with expanding prison numbers and rising costs. It allows eligible offenders to retain or seek employment, maintain family relationships and responsibilities and attend rehabilitative programs that contribute towards addressing the causes of their offending.
Home detention may also provide an alternative to prison for eligible offenders with special needs, such as parents with young children, pregnant women, or offenders with disabilities.
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[edit] Secure Enviroment
All offenders serving home detention are subject to electronic monitoring, monitoring by security guards, and intensive supervision from Probation Officers.
Electronic surveillance equipment provides specialised monitoring through an electronic monitoring unit based at the place of residence. The offender wears an anklet that emits a continuous radio signal and triggers an alarm if the offender leaves the confines of the property without prior approval. The electronic surveillance together with frequent contact with their Probation Officer and checks by the security guards provides for a secure environment.
Offenders must give their consent and be willing to abide by the conditions of home detention. They must comply with the relevant statutory conditions, and with any special conditions imposed by the New Zealand Parole Board. Offenders must not violate any conditions while serving home detention and will be closely monitored to ensure that they do not leave the prescribed area without first obtaining permission. Violation of any home detention conditions will incur enforcement procedures and may result in the offender being returned to Prison.
[edit] Home Detention Procedure
[edit] New Zealand
At sentencing the Judge can grant offenders who receive a short-term sentence (two years or less) leave to apply for home detention. This is called front-end home detention – i.e. it is applied for at the beginning of a sentence. If it is deferred by the Judge, an offender has two weeks to apply, during which time they will be granted bail. Offenders serving long-term sentences can apply for back-end home detention five months before their Parole Eligibility Date, though, if granted, they won’t be released until three months before their PED.
