Electronic tagging proposed for juvenile criminals

Nguyen Hoa Binh, chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, on June 6 presented a draft on the judicial law for juveniles to the National Assembly, where electronic monitoring can be applied to juvenile criminals to ensure that they turn up when authorities summon them.

Those under electronic monitoring must guarantee to answer any summons, except in certain cases. They must also not run away, or bribe or coerce others to give out false information and documents, or destroy evidence. If they violate such rules, they will be detained.

The judicial committee, upon evaluating the draft, has agreed with the proposal to use electronic monitoring, adding that the measure will not only highlight the responsibility of families in educating juveniles, but also institutionalize a resolution by the Politburo to "limit the use of detainment."

However, the committee said there needs to be more careful evaluation on the resources required to use electronic monitoring.

The Court said the process of dealing with juvenile criminals was still punishment-heavy, while punishments should be the last resort. This has contributed to juveniles re-offending, it said.

Electronic monitoring is also used by several countries around the world. In the U.S., electronic tags can be installed on the wrists or ankles, on phones with biometric security, or on a car’s ignition components, among others.

In South Korea, electronic tagging has been in use since 2008. Authorities said electronic tagging helps reduce anxiety among the public and prevent re-offending.