Electronic bracelets to be introduced for offenders

Electronic tags for criminals are to be introduced in the UAE, offering an alternative to jail for those who commit minor offences.

People found guilty of crimes carrying a sentence of less than two years, such as theft and dishonoured cheques, can be put under house arrest instead of behind bars under the reform.

The monitoring devices, also called GPS bracelets, track the location of the person wearing it.

The tag, which will be introduced after a federal law was issued in September, can be used for suspects on trial, those on bail and for house arrest. Anyone convicted of the same crime twice will not be eligible.

Legal consultant Hassan Elhais, of Al Rowaad Advocates, said the tagging system “applies only to crimes that carry sentences of less than two years and do not include mandatory deportation”.

More serious crimes, such as sex and drug offences, will not be included.

Prosecutors will be given the authority to replace police custody with house arrest.

Electronic tagging could also be used to reduce fines against defendants.

“If a suspect was found guilty and sentenced only to pay a fine, Dh100 should be reduced from the amount of the fine for each day spent wearing the GPS bracelet,” Mr Elhais said.

If the tracking tag causes any health problems, the wearer can apply for it to be removed by lodging an official medical report to back up the complaint. If successful, the person will be returned to police custody.

Mr Elhais said that the law gave judges the freedom to decide when the tag should be used on a case-by-case basis.

It also grants convicts under house arrest the right to request to leave the country for some time, if they give their destination, reasons for travel and return date.

The matter is subject to prosecution and court approvals and if granted, time spent outside the country will not be taken off the suspect’s sentencing.

Prisoners jailed for between

and five years and who have already served half of their sentence will also have the opportunity to serve the rest of their term under house arrest.

“The request should be filed to prosecutors who will determine the convict’s behaviour during imprisonment and if they pose a risk to community members or national security before filing a report to court,” Mr Elhais said.

If the request is rejected, the prisoner can apply again after six months.

Police from the closest station will regularly visit the prisoner’s home to check the device and submit reports.

Detainees are also required to tell police if they want to move houses or work at a different location.

“Some people who undergo investigation for a crime, but then are excluded after evidence shows that they were not involved, will certainly praise this practice,” Mr Elhais said.

He said the law would be good for a prisoner’s immediate family, who may be affected by the imprisonment.

“UAE laws are designed to punish the person who commits the crime and not those who surround him, like his family, and the GPS bracelet further boosts this principle,” Mr Elhais said.

It is not yet known when the bracelets will be introduced.

The UAE is increasingly turning to technology to dispense justice.

Last week, the office of the Public Prosecution announced it was exploring ways to introduce artificial intelligence into legal proceedings.

In September, it was revealed that courts in Abu Dhabi are to allow trials to take place by video conferencing in cases where it is inconvenient to bring defendants from prison.

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said that the move would speed up the judicial process.

Police from the closest station will visit the prisoner’s home and submit reports