High-risk criminals will be fitted with new tamper-proof electronic monitoring bracelets from July, Corrections Minister Judith Collins says.
The Department of Corrections has been working with 3M, the private provider contracted with electronic monitoring, to develop devices that can't be cut off.
An electronic monitoring bracelet. Photo: 123RF
Pita Tekira, the man alleged to have caused a 24-hour police standoff in Porirua and believed to have later died, had removed his monitoring bracelet on 1 April.
He was one of dozens of people who have removed the devices and gone on the run in recent months.
Police released this photo of Pita Rangi Te Kira after he removed his electronic bracelet. Photo: SUPPLIED/New Zealand Police
Ms Collins said the new tamper-proof bracelets will be used from July on existing high-risk offenders who are on extended supervision, parole or home detention, and on new high-risk offenders from August.
That would currently apply to about 180 offenders.
Between 0.5 to 1 percent of all people monitored electronically removed their bracelets. On just one day in January, 47 people removed their bracelets.
Ms Collins has previously said the new bracelets would be a world first.