Ottawa acts to avoid putting migrants in jail

OTTAWA — The federal government plans to rely on electronic monitoring, telephone reporting and community supervision to avoid locking up migrants while they await immigration hearings.

The government has spelled out details of how it will try to find alternatives to jailing newcomers to Canada, including use of voice recognition and monitoring technology to track people released in the community.

The $138-million overhaul is intended to ensure detention is a last resort.

The Canada Border Services Agency detains thousands of new arrivals who are considered a flight risk or a danger to the public and those whose identities cannot be confirmed. The Canadian Red Cross Society has found shortcomings at facilities for immigrant detainees, including overcrowding and lack of mental-health care.

Before Tuesday’s federal announcement, the only way a migrant could be released from detention was if they posted a financial guarantee and agreed to conditions. Now, there will be three alternatives.

A new community case management system will see the CBSA working with organizations such as the Salvation Army, the John Howard Society of Canada and the Toronto Bail Program to help supervise up to 800 people after they are released.

A new voice reporting system will use biometric voice recognition technology that could lead to 10,000 people reporting their whereabouts using global positioning features through cellphones or landlines.

An electronic monitoring pilot program will also be started in the Toronto area, and it will initially be used with 20 higher-risk releases.

The CBSA has hired 14 new officers to review the cases and help determine who can be released.