The Algerian Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, is nearing completion of a new generation of domestically produced electronic monitoring bracelets. This announcement was made Wednesday by Zerb Said, Director General of the Penitentiary Administration.
Speaking at the opening of an international conference on training and rehabilitation within penal institutions, aimed at supporting the reintegration of inmates, Zerb Said stated that the project is in its advanced stages. The final version is expected to be ready before the end of the year. He emphasized that this new system will allow a greater number of convicted individuals or those under investigation to benefit from alternatives to pre-trial detention.
The electronic bracelet serves as a judicial measure that can be implemented within the framework of parole or pre-trial detention. It allows for precise electronic monitoring, replacing the need for individuals to report in person every 15 days.
While a precise usage rate for the current year was not provided, the Director General noted that the existing system is continuously being improved, particularly with the imminent launch of the final version of the bracelet.
Zerb Said further explained that the prison administration system embraces the principle of punishment as part of the social reintegration process. From the initial weeks of incarceration, a comprehensive plan is developed for each inmate. This plan involves assessing their needs through technical means, gathering information via questionnaires, psychological tests, and reviewing judicial files, as well as conducting interviews and social investigations.
This assessment is carried out by multidisciplinary teams consisting of rehabilitation officers, psychologists, social workers, and educators. The assessment covers seven key areas: physical health, addiction, personality, behavior, social relationships, family, children, social life, financial history, debts, fines, employment, vocational skills, education, training, and housing.
This comprehensive process enables the identification of the inmate’s needs and criminal profile, facilitating the creation of an individualized program that addresses their psychological, health, and social requirements. The program also aims to enhance their educational qualifications, abilities, and professional skills.
