Federal Council evaluates the use of electronic ankle bracelets

Since 2018, offenders who have been sentenced to an unconditional prison sentence have been able to complete their sentence throughout Switzerland using an ankle bracelet as an alternative. The Federal Council has evaluated the practical experience of the first five years after the law came into force. In its report, it concludes that the use of electronic monitoring has proved its worth.

Since January 1, 2018, electronic monitoring (electronic monitoring by means of an ankle monitor) can be used as an alternative form of imprisonment in certain cases. The prerequisite is that the convicted person is neither a flight risk nor a risk of committing further crimes. Electronic monitoring can serve as an alternative to imprisonment and contribute to the better reintegration of the offender. The minimum and maximum duration for which electronic monitoring can be used is set out in the Swiss Criminal Code (SCC).

On behalf of Parliament (postulate 16.3632), the Federal Council has now evaluated the practical experience of the first five years since the law came into force and recorded the results in a postulate report, which it adopted at its meeting on August 20, 2025. The report shows that the cantons are increasingly using the option of electronic ankle bracelets. Electronic monitoring offers numerous advantages. In particular, it helps to alleviate the sometimes very tense situation due to a shortage of prison places. It also enables the sentenced person to remain largely integrated into their social environment while serving their sentence, which makes reintegration after serving their sentence much easier.

However, the report also shows clear differences between the cantons in terms of the frequency with which electronic monitoring is used. This measure is used particularly frequently in urban cantons and in those that had already taken part in the pilot before the nationwide introduction in 2018. In terms of practical implementation in enforcement, however, there are no significant differences.

This postulate report does not deal with the electronic monitoring of perpetrators of violence as part of the prevention of domestic and sexual violence. Pilot projects are currently underway in various cantons. Information on this can be obtained from the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors (KKJPD).

As part of the work on the postulate report, it was also examined whether the minimum and maximum duration of electronic surveillance should be extended. The majority of the cantons are of the opinion that the current regulation is sufficient, taking into account the most recent case law of the Federal Supreme Court. The Federal Council shares this view.

Source: Federal Office of Justice

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