Cabinet endorses electronic tagging as punishment

AMMAN — The Council of Ministers, in its Sunday session, decided to adopt electronic tagging for convicts placed under house arrest, to replace detention.

The Judiciary will use tools of electronic tagging like an electronic ankle bracelet on suspended people, instead of jailing them at correctional and rehabilitation centres, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni as saying.

According to web sources, electronic tagging is a form of surveillance which uses an electronic device (a tag) fitted to the person. It is commonly used as a form of electronically monitored punishment for people who have been sentenced to electronic monitoring by a court, or required to wear a tag upon release from prison.

Talhouni said electronic tagging preserves human rights and prevents the person from leaving the geographical space he or she is allowed to move within, according to limits set by the court. 

Moreover, the minister said the method is financially feasible as it saves the Treasury the money spent on those detained in correctional and rehabilitation centres.

Electronic tagging is a good alternative for conventional imprisonment, especially in cases involving less dangerous convicts who do not threaten social safety, Talhouni said, adding it is better to avoid mixing less dangerous convicts with those who have criminal records.

The minister said there is a committee concerned with reviewing the Criminal Procedure Law and it will work on amending the law by introducing the electronic tagging provision.