Satellite tracking of child sex offenders to be trialled

A global positioning systems (GPS) device which warns when child sex offenders go near schools and parks will be trialled by the Corrections Department next year.

The department wanted to test whether the Israeli technology could be programmed to set off an alarm when offenders entered "exclusion zones", department probation and offenders service general manager Katrina Casey said.

"It would be for very high risk child sex offenders whose offending patterns tend to suggest they go out looking for places where young children congregate," she told NZPA.

There were limits to using GPS for tracking people as signals were often hampered by big buildings and natural typography.

"New Zealand has an interesting typography and GPS works off satellite and it isn't the most absolutely reliable technology used, but it's better than nothing.

"We don't know if it's going to work in New Zealand. It may work in some places and not others."

The GPS device, similar to a home detention ankle bracelet, would not be tested on offenders when trials begin early next year -- it would be tested on department staff, Ms Casey said.

If the trial was successful, electronic monitoring could be used on about 12 of the 60 offenders a year that were subject to extended supervision following the completion of their parole requirements.

The trial would also examine the cost benefit of the device, she said.

Other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom had already trialled the technology.

- NZPA