[AP]
Greece is set to roll out nationwide use of electronic ankle monitors for prison inmates this month as authorities seek to ease chronic overcrowding in the country’s correctional facilities, where about a quarter of detainees are awaiting trial.
The electronic monitoring system will officially take effect on May 18, the Ministry of Citizen Protection said.
Under the measure, certain pretrial detainees, convicts and prisoners on leave will be allowed to leave prison under electronic surveillance, provided they meet strict judicial criteria. Authorities said the system will apply only to inmates not considered dangerous.
Officials said many of the roughly 25% of inmates currently being held in pretrial custody could qualify for monitored release.
The ankle-monitor program was previously tested on about 30 inmates in Athens and Thessaloniki. During the pilot phase, participants paid for the service themselves, but the nationwide rollout will be free for those placed under surveillance.
According to the ministry, the devices continuously transmit the wearer’s location and immediately alert authorities if designated restrictions are violated or the device is tampered with.