Senior Interior Ministry officials yesterday stressed their response to public questions regarding the fact that Cambodian law enforcement authorities have still not implemented GPS tracking technology to monitor people released from prison on parole.
This was stated by ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak yesterday during a press conference at the ministry in response to a public forum held on June 13.
During the forum, Lieutenant General Nuth Savna, Deputy Director of the General Directorate of Prisons, cited the example of law enforcement agencies in other countries that use GPS tracking technologies to monitor people's whereabouts, adding that this technology could reduce prison overcrowding.
“We don't have a plan to implement the technology yet, but officials have raised it as just a possibility,” he added.
Lt. Gen. Savna said the number of incarcerated prisoners was 48,717, noting that prisons were overcrowded.
However, the ministry is examining how the number of prisons can be increased while still maintaining the facilities in line with international standards.
Lt. Gen. Savna said there was no law in Cambodia regarding the use of GPS tracking, but agreed that it would help reduce prison overcrowding.
Regarding the release of a person on bail, Lieutenant General Savna claimed that the State already has appropriate procedures based on the legal status of specific cases and individual judgments.
He therefore said that GPS tracking was merely an additional means of monitoring people released on bail.
GPS tracking technology can track the location of people under house arrest or on parole, helping authorities keep an eye on offenders at all times and ensure they comply with release conditions, especially while they await trial.
In February, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Head of Mission Dena Fisher expressed her appreciation for Cambodia's efforts to alleviate prison overcrowding during a meeting with Interior Minister Sar Sokha.
She also took the opportunity to thank the Minister for the good cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, adding that the ICRC has supported the government over the past 30 years to contribute to the continuous improvement of conditions in Cambodian prisons.
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