Saskatchewan spending $2 million to enhance electronic monitoring for offenders

The Government of Saskatchewan is spending $2 million to enhance its electronic monitoring system for offenders released by the courts.

According to the Ministry of Community Safety, the money will add 100 new GPS-enabled units to the province’s electronic monitoring program over the next two years. The program allows corrections employees to keep track of a person’s movements, enforce court-ordered curfews and receive alerts when an offender enters an area they have been ordered to avoid.

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“Protecting Saskatchewan people is our priority,” Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said in a statement.

“Electronic monitoring gives our corrections employees the tools they need to track individuals in the community and respond quickly when conditions are breached.”

The ministry said probations officers and police work together to ensure offenders do not break the conditions of their release.

“For instance, when an offender with a history of violence is monitored on electronic monitoring GPS, police are notified through the Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team to ensure a rapid response if those offenders breach any of their conditions,” the ministry explained.

“The expansion of the electronic monitoring program strengthens Saskatchewan’s ability to manage offender caseloads and maintain community safety. This investment ensures corrections employees and the courts have the tools they need to effectively monitor individuals in the community.”

Meanwhile, police in Buffalo Narrows are searching for a man who allegedly removed his court-ordered electronic monitoring device.

Last week, the RCMP said officers are searching for 44-year-old Darwin “Scooby” Chartier. Police described Chartier as 5-foot-10 in height with a medium build, hazel eyes and brown hair. He has a scar between his eyebrows, and his left ear has been left slightly swollen due to past injuries.

Chartier has been known to travel to the Turnor Lake and Green Lake areas. Police said the public should not approach him, and said any sightings should be reported to the Mounties or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

Darwin Chartier is described as 5 ft 10 in tall with a medium build, hazel eyes and brown hair cut short. He has a scar between his eyebrows and a slightly swollen left ear from past injuries.

Buffalo Narrows RCMP asked the public to report any sightings or information on the whereabouts of 44-year-old Darwin Chartier. (Buffalo Narrows RCMP/Submitted)