Socioeconomic analysis of electronic monitoring in the offender management system of the department of correctional services, South Africa: a technical research report

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the social and economic factors that should be considered in contemplating electronic monitoring (EM) in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in South Africa to monitor offenders on community supervision. This work is designed to yield data to spur the development of an EM solution and also make recommendations on the processes and necessary decisions for successful implementation of an EM initiative to achieve the goals of community corrections in South Africa 'to reduce the cost of keeping offenders in prison and ease overcrowding in the country's jails, improve monitoring of offenders being integrated back into society and ultimately save tax payers' money' (ToRCSIR_HSRC_EM_RESEARCH). The overarching aim will contribute toward a nuanced policy assessment of EM, while presenting directions for future engagement with digital technologies to support the DCS to contribute to the objective of maintaining and 'promoting a just, peaceful and safe society by correcting offending behaviour in a safe, secure and humane environment to ensure the optimal rehabilitation of offenders and reduce repeat offending' (DCS, Annual Performance Plan 2020/21).