Ankle monitors in LuxembourgAn alternative to prison sentences

Ankle monitors offer an alternative to incarceration for certain individuals, allowing them to serve their sentences outside of prison. In Luxembourg, 22 people – 20 men and two women – are currently using ankle monitors, according to Minister of Justice Elisabeth Margue. The information was provided in response to a parliamentary question from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) regarding the use of electronic monitoring.

Eligibility and functionality

Minister Margue outlined several conditions that must be met for an individual to qualify for an ankle monitor. The person must reside in Luxembourg, hold an employment contract, or be enrolled in a training course. Additionally, they must not be deemed a danger to society, and the prison sentence they are serving must be less than three years.

The decision to grant an ankle monitor is made by the public prosecutor’s office or an examining magistrate, independent of the specific case. There are two types of ankle monitors used in Luxembourg:

• Radio frequency monitors: These devices determine whether the individual is at home during specified times. A device is installed in the person’s residence, and authorities monitor compliance with home confinement requirements.
• GPS monitors: These allow for detailed tracking of the individual’s movements, indicating whether they are within their permitted zone or entering restricted areas.

However, Minister Margue noted that technical and logistical challenges remain with GPS monitoring, particularly regarding who would oversee the data. Currently, ankle monitor data is supervised at Schrassig prison.

In 2024, 49 people wore ankle monitors in Luxembourg. Of these, seven individuals violated the terms of their home confinement and were subsequently returned to prison.

Minister Margue also highlighted the potential for using ankle monitors preventively, such as in cases of domestic violence.