New ankle bracelets on way for offenders

New ankle bracelets designed to electronically monitor highrisk criminals after their release from jail are expected to debut in B.C. later this month.

The upgrade follows the muchpublicized arrest last year of paroled high-risk offender Raymond Caissie in the murder of 17-year-old Serena Vermeersch.

Crown counsel did not seek electronic monitoring or curfews for Caissie, 43, who was released in 2013 after serving a 22-year term for rape, theft and forcible confinement.

After the murder, Premier Christy Clark said there should be a tougher system and rules in place for high-risk offenders before they are released from jail into B.C. communities.

The province selected U.K.based Buddi Ltd. in July to provide the devices. They contain a number of upgrades including GPS capabilities, vibration alerts sent directly to authorities and increased monitoring, mapping and reporting options.