More than half of the individuals released with ankle monitors in Manitoba since their introduction in August 2024 were either rearrested or violated their release conditions, recent data obtained by CBC News reveals. According to the justice minister’s office, 530 people were released under the program by October 16, 2025. Out of these, 243 were rearrested for various infractions, 53 absconded after removing the device, 16 damaged the strap, and 12 allowed the battery to die, totaling over 60% of the participants.
Additionally, 11 individuals had their charges stayed, 19 were sentenced, and one person was acquitted. Eight people had their monitoring conditions removed, while unfortunately, one individual passed away while wearing the ankle monitor. As of October 16, 166 individuals still had active ankle monitors.
These statistics, previously undisclosed by the province but provided to CBC News by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe’s office, were highlighted during a recent bail hearing where a Crown attorney referenced the data to argue against releasing an individual accused of domestic violence-related charges.
Another Crown attorney in a separate bail hearing for an alleged prolific shoplifter criticized the ankle monitoring program’s failure rate, citing a case where an individual stole from a drugstore while wearing an ankle monitor. Both bail requests were denied based on these concerns.
The ankle monitoring program was introduced in Manitoba last year as a means to prevent repeat offenses and ensure compliance with release conditions, using 24/7 GPS tracking and real-time communication features. Despite differing opinions on the program’s success, the data suggests room for improvement, with varying perspectives on how success is defined and measured.
While Justice Minister Wiebe remains optimistic about the program’s effectiveness in aiding law enforcement, criminologist Michael Weinrath raised concerns about the program’s cost effectiveness and conflicting views within the justice system on its efficacy. The program’s budget, exceeding $4 million, has faced scrutiny as prosecutors question its impact in court proceedings.
As debates continue on the program’s effectiveness and allocation of resources, the future of ankle monitoring in Manitoba remains under review, with plans to evaluate and potentially expand its implementation based on community needs and feedback.