Brazil: Brazil set to begin electronic monitoring of prisoners

FOCUS Information Agency - A new Brazilian law authorizing electronic monitoring of prisoners serving their sentences in semi-open regime or under house arrest entered into effect on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency informed.

The law states that if the prisoner removes or damages the electronic monitoring instrument, he may suffer temporary leave suspension or may have his home detention revoked.

Those under monitoring system will be informed of the rules and will receive visits from the agent responsible for monitoring. They will also have to reply when contacted and meet their guidelines.

When the bill passed in the congress last May, its author Senator Mago Malta noted that the use of this technology is not only more cost-efficient than traditional jail custody, but also more effective for the rehabilitation of prisoners.

The Brazilian government expects to release about 80,000 prisoners convicted for minor crimes once the new method is put into use.