22 people are under electronic surveillance in Luxembourg
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Electronic bracelets are becoming an important part of Luxembourg's justice system. At the beginning of 2025, 22 people were under surveillance, 20 men and 2 women. This device makes it possible to use the monitoring of convicted persons as an alternative to imprisonment and facilitates compliance with the conditions of their sentence.
From 2020 to 2024, the number of cases of electronic bracelets has increased significantly: from 28 in 2020 to 49 in 2024. Most of the bracelets are administered at the initial stage of sentence enforcement (the so-called "front-door" approach). However, the number of cases of violation of the bracelets' conditions of use remains low, which demonstrates their effectiveness.
In 2022, Luxembourg acquired 30 devices with radio frequency (RF) technology and 5 with GPS. These devices help to monitor the location of inmates under curfew. In 2024, additional RF devices were ordered due to an increase in the number of inmates under surveillance.
The government is considering expanding the use of GPS bracelets, which provide more accurate monitoring, especially for convicts on parole or under house arrest. The use of such technology can improve safety and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
In the event of a breach of surveillance conditions, such as failure to observe curfew time or escape, the central guard post notifies the probation agent. The latter prepares a report, which is sent to a representative of the Attorney General, who is authorised to decide whether to withdraw the electronic surveillance. If the bracelet is revoked, the convicted person is sent to prison to continue serving his or her sentence.
The government is actively exploring ways to expand the use of electronic bracelets. One of the priorities is the introduction of GPS-enabled devices, which can make monitoring more effective and accurate. This could become a real alternative to traditional methods of punishment, helping to rehabilitate convicts and reducing the burden on penitentiary institutions.
